1PLUS12 - The Richest Man in Babylon

THE
RICHEST MAN
IN BABYLON
BY
GEORGE S.CLASON
ByServingOneAnother,WeAllBeFree
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Aheadofyoustretchesyourfuturelikearoad leadingintothedistance.Alongthatroad
areambitionsyouwishtoaccomplish...desiresyouwishtogratify.
To bring yourambitions anddesirestofulfillment,you mustbesuccessfulwithmoney.

Use the financial principles made clear in the pages which follow. Let them guide you
away from the stringenciesofaleanpursetothatfuller, happierlife afullpursemakes
possible.
Like the law of gravity, they are universal and unchanging. May they prove foryou,as
theyhaveproven to so manyothers, asurekeytoafatpurse,largerbankbalancesand
gratifyingfinancialprogress.
LO,MONEYISPLENTIFUL
FORTHOSEWHOUNDERSTAND
THESIMPLERULESOFITSACQUISITION
1.Startthypursetofattening
2.Controlthyexpenditures
3.Makethygoldmultiply
4.Guardthytreasuresfromloss
5.Makeofthydwellingaprofitableinvestment
6.Insureafutureincome7.Increasethyabilitytoearn
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About the Author

GEORGE SAMUEL CLASON was born in Louisiana, Missouri, on November 7, 1874. He
attended the University of Nebraska and served in the United States Army during the
SpanishAmerican War. Beginning a long career in publishing, he founded the Clason Map
Company of Denver, Colorado, and published the first road atlas of the United States and
Canada. In 1926, he issued the first of a famous series of pamphlets on thrift and financial
success, using parables set in ancient Babylon to make each of his points. These were
distributed in large quantities by banks and insurance companies and became familiar to
millions, the most famous being "The Richest Man in Babylon," the parable from which the
present volume takes its title. These "Babylonian parables" have become a modern
inspirationalclassic.
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Foreword
Our prosperity as a nation depends upon the personal financial prosperity of each of us as
individuals.
This book deals withthe personalsuccessesof eachof us.Successmeansaccomplishments

astheresultof ourownefforts andabilities.Properpreparationis thekeytoour success.Our
actscanbenowiserthanourthoughts.Ourthinkingcanbenowiserthanourunderstanding.
This book of cures for lean purses has been termeda guidetofinancial understanding.That,
indeed, is its purpose: to offer those who are ambitiousfor financialsuccessaninsightwhich
willaidthemtoacquiremoney,tokeepmoneyandtomaketheirsurplusesearnmoremoney.
Inthepageswhichfollow,wearetakenbacktoBabylon,thecradleinwhichwasnurturedthe
basicprinciplesoffinancenowrecognizedandusedtheworldover.
Tonewreadersthe authorishappyto extend thewishthat its pagesmaycontainforthemthe

same inspiration for growing bank accounts, greater financial successes and the solution of
difficultpersonalfinancialproblemssoenthusiasticallyreportedbyreadersfromcoasttocoast.
To the business executives who have distributed these tales in such generous quantities to
friends, relatives, employees and associates, the author takes this opportunity to express his
gratitude. No endorsement could be higher than that of practical men who appreciate its
teachings because they, themselves, have worked upto importantsuccessesbyapplyingthe
veryprinciplesitadvocates.
Babylon became the wealthiest city of the ancient world because its citizenswerethe richest
people of their time. They appreciated the value of money. They practiced sound financial
principlesinacquiringmoney,keepingmoneyandmakingtheirmoneyearnmoremoney.They
providedforthemselveswhatwealldesire...incomesforthefuture.
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An Historical Sketch of Babylon
Inthepagesof historytherelivesnocitymoreglamorousthanBabylon.Itsverynameconjures
visions of wealth and splendor. Its treasures of gold and jewels were fabulous. One naturally
picturessuchawealthycityaslocatedinasuitablesettingoftropicalluxury,surroundedbyrich
natural resources of forests, and mines. Such was not the case. It was located beside the
Euphrates River,inaflat,aridvalley.Ithadnoforests,nominesnotevenstoneforbuilding.It
wasnotevenlocateduponanaturaltraderoute.Therainfallwasinsufficienttoraisecrops.
Babylon isanoutstandingexampleofman'sability to achievegreatobjectives,usingwhatever

means are athisdisposal.All ofthe resourcessupporting thislargecityweremandeveloped.
Allofitsrichesweremanmade.
Babylon possessedjusttwonaturalresourcesafertile soilandwaterintheriver.Withoneof

the greatest engineering accomplishments of this or any other day, Babylonian engineers
diverted the waters from the river by means of dams and immense irrigation canals. Far out
acrossthat aridvalley wentthesecanalstopourthelife givingwatersoverthefertilesoil.This
ranks among the first engineering feats known to history. Such abundant crops as were the
rewardofthisirrigationsystemtheworldhadneverseenbefore.
Fortunately,duringitslongexistence,Babylonwas ruledbysuccessive linesof kingstowhom

conquestand plunderwerebutincidental.Whileitengaged inmanywars,mostofthese were
localordefensiveagainstambitious conquerors from othercountrieswhocovetedthefabulous
treasuresofBabylon.The outstandingrulersofBabylonliveinhistorybecauseoftheirwisdom,
enterprise and justice. Babylon produced no strutting monarchs who sought to conquer the
knownworldthatallnationsmightpayhomagetotheiregotism.
As a city, Babylon exists no more. When those energizing human forces that built and
maintainedthecityforthousandsofyearswerewithdrawn,itsoonbecameadesertedruin.The
site of the city is in Asia about six hundred miles east of the Suez Canal, just north of the
Persian Gulf. The latitude is about thirty degrees above the Equator, practically the same as
thatofYuma,Arizona.ItpossessedaclimatesimilartothatofthisAmericancity,hotanddry.
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Today, this valley of the Euphrates, once a populous irrigated farming district, is again a
windswept arid waste. Scant grass and desert shrubs strive for existence against the
windblown sands. Gonearethe fertilefields, themammoth citiesandthelongcaravansofrich
merchandise.Nomadicbands ofArabs,securinga scantlivingbytendingsmall herds, arethe
onlyinhabitants.SuchithasbeensinceaboutthebeginningoftheChristianera.
Dotting this valley are earthen hills. For centuries, they were considered by travelers to be
nothing else. The attention of archaeologists werefinally attracted tothem becauseofbroken
pieces of pottery andbrickwasheddownbythe occasionalrainstorms.Expeditions, financed
by European and American museums, were sent here to excavate and see what could be
found. Picks and shovels soon proved these hills to be ancientcities.City graves,theymight
wellbecalled.
Babylon wasoneofthese.Over itforsomethingliketwentycenturies,thewindshadscattered

the desert dust. Built originally of brick, all exposed walls haddisintegrated andgonebackto
earth once more. Such is Babylon, the wealthycity,today.A heapof dirt,solongabandoned
that no living person even knew its name until it was discovered by carefully removing the
refuseofcenturiesfromthestreetsandthefallenwreckageofitsnobletemplesandpalaces.
ManyscientistsconsiderthecivilizationofBabylonandothercitiesinthisvalleytobetheoldest
ofwhichthere isadefiniterecord.Positive dateshavebeenprovedreachingback8000years.
Aninterestingfactinthisconnectionisthemeansusedtodeterminethesedates.Uncoveredin
the ruins of Babylon were descriptions of an eclipse of the sun. Modern astronomers readily
computed the time when such an eclipse, visibleinBabylon,occurred andthusestablisheda
knownrelationshipbetweentheircalendarandourown.
Inthisway,wehaveprovedthat8000yearsago,theSumerites,whoinhabitedBabylonia,were
livinginwalledcities.Onecanonly conjectureforhowmanycenturiesprevioussuchcitieshad
existed.Their inhabitantswere notmerebarbarianslivingwithinprotectingwalls.Theywerean
educatedand enlightenedpeople.Sofaraswrittenhistorygoes, they were thefirstengineers,
thefirstastronomers,thefirst mathematicians,thefirstfinanciersandthefirstpeopletohavea
writtenlanguage.
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Mention hasalreadybeen madeoftheirrigationsystemswhichtransformedthearidvalleyinto
an agricultural paradise. The remains of these canals can still be traced, although they are
mostly filled with accumulated sand. Some of them were of such size that, when empty of
water, a dozen horses could be ridden abreast along their bottoms. In size they compare
favorablywiththelargestcanalsinColoradoandUtah.
In addition to irrigating the valley lands, Babylonian engineers completed another project of
similarmagnitude.Bymeansofanelaboratedrainagesystemtheyreclaimedanimmensearea
of swamp land at the mouths of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and put this also under
cultivation.
Herodotus, the Greek traveler and historian, visited Babylon while it was in its primeand has
given us the only known description by an outsider. His writings give agraphic descriptionof
thecityand someof theunusual customsofitspeople.He mentions theremarkablefertilityof
thesoilandthebountifulharvestofwheatandbarleywhichtheyproduced.
The glory of Babylon has faded but its wisdom has been preserved for us. For this we are
indebted to their form of records. In that distantday,the useofpaperhadnotbeen invented.
Instead, they laboriously engraved their writing upon tablets of moist clay. When completed,
these were baked and became hard tile. In size, they were aboutsixby eight inches,andan
inchinthickness.
These clay tablets, as they arecommonly called,were used muchasweusemodernformsof

writing.Upon them wereengravedlegends, poetry, history,transcriptionsof royaldecrees,the
lawsoftheland,titlestoproperty,promissorynotesandevenletterswhichweredispatchedby
messengers to distant cities. From these clay tablets we are permitted an insight into the
intimate, personal affairsofthepeople.Forexample,onetablet,evidentlyfromtherecordsofa
country storekeeper, relates that upon the given date a certain named customer broughtina
cowandexchangedit forseven sacksofwheat,threebeingdeliveredatthetimeandtheother
fourtoawaitthecustomer'spleasure.
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Safely buried in the wrecked cities, archaeologists have recovered entire libraries of these
tablets,hundredsofthousandsofthem.
One of the outstanding wonders of Babylon was theimmensewalls surroundingthecity.The

ancients ranked them with the great pyramid of Egypt as belonging tothe "sevenwondersof
the world." Queen Semiramis is credited with having erected the first walls during the early
history of thecity.Modernexcavatorshavebeenunabletofind anytrace ofthe originalwalls.
Nor istheirexact heightknown.Frommentionmadebyearlywriters,it isestimated theywere
aboutfiftytosixtyfeethigh, facedontheouter side withburnt brick andfurtherprotectedbya
deepmoatofwater.
The later andmorefamouswallswerestartedaboutsixhundredyearsbeforethetimeofChrist

byKingNabopolassar.Upon suchagiganticscaledidhe planthe rebuilding,hedidnotliveto
see the work finished. This was left to his son, Nebuchadnezzar, whose name is familiar in
Biblicalhistory.
The height and length of these later walls staggers belief. They are reported upon reliable
authorityto have beenaboutonehundred andsixtyfeethigh,theequivalentof theheightofa
modern fifteen story office building. The total length isestimated as betweennineandeleven
miles. So wide was the top that a sixhorse chariot could be driven around them. Of this
tremendous structure, little now remains except portions of the foundations and the moat. In
addition to the ravages oftheelements, theArabs completedthe destructionbyquarrying the
brickforbuildingpurposeselsewhere.
Againstthe wallsof Babylonmarched,inturn,the victorious armies of almosteveryconqueror

of that age of wars of conquest. A host of kings laid siege to Babylon, but always in vain.
Invading armies of thatdaywerenottobeconsideredlightly.Historiansspeakofsuchunitsas
10,000 horsemen, 25,000 chariots, 1200 regiments of foot soldiers with 1000 men to the
regiment.Often twoorthreeyears ofpreparationwouldberequiredtoassemblewarmaterials
and depots offoodalong theproposedline of march. ThecityofBabylonwasorganizedmuch
like a modern city. There were streets and shops. Peddlers offered their wares through
residential districts. Priests officiated in magnificent temples. Within the city was an inner
enclosurefortheroyalpalaces. Thewalls aboutthis were said tohavebeenhigherthanthose
aboutthecity.
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The Babylonians were skilled in the arts. These included sculpture, painting, weaving, gold
working and the manufacture of metal weapons and agricultural implements. Their Jewelers
createdmostartisticjewelry.Manysampleshavebeenrecoveredfromthegravesofitswealthy
citizensandarenowonexhibitionintheleadingmuseumsoftheworld.
At a very early period when the rest of the worldwasstillhackingat treeswith stoneheaded
axes, or hunting andfightingwithflintpointedspearsandarrows,theBabylonianswereusing
axes,spearsandarrowswithmetalheads.
The Babylonianswerecleverfinanciersandtraders.Sofar as weknow,theyweretheoriginal

inventorsofmoneyasameansofexchange,ofpromissorynotesandwrittentitlestoproperty.
Babylon was never entered by hostile armies until about 540 years before the birthofChrist.
Eventhenthe walls werenotcaptured.ThestoryofthefallofBabylonismostunusual.Cyrus,
one of the great conquerors of that period, intended to attack the city and hoped to take its
impregnable walls. Advisors of Nabonidus, the King of Babylon, persuaded him to go forth to
meet Cyrus and give him battle without waiting for the city tobebesieged. In thesucceeding
defeat to the Babylonian army, it fled away from thecity.Cyrus, thereupon,enteredtheopen
gatesandtookpossessionwithoutresistance.
Thereafter the power and prestige of the city gradually waned until, in the course of a few
hundred years, it was eventually abandoned, deserted, left for the winds and storms to level
once again to that desert earthfromwhich its grandeurhadoriginallybeenbuilt.Babylonhad
fallen,nevertoriseagain,buttoitcivilizationowesmuch.
The eons of time have crumbled to dust the proud walls of its temples, but the wisdom of
Babylonendures.
Moneyisthemediumbywhichearthlysuccessismeasured.
Moneymakespossibletheenjoymentofthebesttheearthaffords.
Moneyisplentifulforthosewhounderstandthesimplelawswhichgovernitsacquisition.
Money is governed today by the same laws which controlled it when prosperous men
throngedthestreetsofBabylon,sixthousandyearsago.
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The Man Who Desired Gold
Bansir,thechariotbuilderofBabylon,wasthoroughlydiscouraged.Fromhisseatuponthelow
wall surrounding his property, he gazed sadly at his simple home and the open workshop in
whichstoodapartiallycompletedchariot.
Hiswifefrequently appearedattheopendoor.Herfurtiveglancesinhisdirectionremindedhim
that themealbagwas almostemptyandheshouldbeatworkfinishingthechariot,hammering
and hewing,polishingand painting,stretching tautthe leather over thewheelrims,preparingit
fordeliverysohecouldcollectfromhiswealthycustomer.
Nevertheless, his fat, muscular body sat stolidly upon the wall. His slow mind was struggling
patiently with a problem for whichhecould findnoanswer.The hot,tropicalsun,sotypicalof
this valley of the Euphrates, beat down upon him mercilessly. Beads of perspiration formed
uponhisbrowandtrickleddownunnoticedtolosethemselvesintiehairyjungleonhischest.
Beyond his home towered the high terraced wall surrounding the king's palace. Nearby,
cleaving theblueheavens,was thepaintedtower oftheTempleofBel. In theshadowofsuch
grandeurwas hissimplehomeandmanyothersfarlessneatand wellcaredfor.Babylonwas
like thisa mixture of grandeur and squalor, of dazzling wealth and direst poverty, crowded
togetherwithoutplanorsystemwithintheprotectingwallsofthecity.
Behind him, had he cared to turn and look, the noisychariots ofthe richjostledandcrowded
asidethe sandaled tradesmenaswellasthe barefootedbeggars.Eventherichwereforcedto
turn into the gutters to clear the way for the long lines of slave water carriers, on the "King's
Business,"eachbearingaheavygoatskinofwatertobepoureduponthehanginggardens.
Bansirwas tooengrossed inhis ownproblemtohearorheedtheconfusedhubbubofthebusy

city.Itwastheunexpectedtwangingofthestringsfromafamiliarlyrethatarousedhimfromhis
reverie. He turned and looked into the sensitive, smiling face of his best friendKobbi, the
musician.
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"MaytheGods blesstheewith greatliberality, mygoodfriend,"began Kobbiwithanelaborate

salute. "Yet, it does appear they have already been so generous thou needest not to labor.I
rejoicewith theeinthygoodfortune.More,Iwouldevenshareitwiththee.Pray,fromthypurse
which must bebulgingelsethou wouldstbebusyinyourshop,extractbuttwohumbleshekels
and lendthemtomeuntilafterthenoblemen'sfeastthisnight.Thouwiltnotmissthemerethey
arereturned."
"If Ididhavetwoshekels,"Bansirrespondedgloomily,"to no onecould Ilendthemnoteven

to you, my best of friends for they would be myfortunemyentirefortune.No onelends his
entirefortune,noteventohisbestfriend."
"What," exclaimedKobbi withgenuinesurprise, "Thouhast notone shekel inthy purse,yet sit

like a statue upon a wall! Why notcompletethatchariot?Howelsecanstthouprovideforthy
noble appetite? Tis not like thee, my friend. Where is thy endless energy? Doth something
distressthee?HavetheGodsbroughttotheetroubles?"
"A torment from the Gods it must be," Bansir agreed. "It began with a dream, a senseless
dream,inwhichI thoughtIwasamanofmeans.Frommybelthungahandsomepurse,heavy
with coins. There were shekels whichIcastwithcareless freedomtothebeggarstherewere
piecesofsilverwithwhichIdidbuyfineryformywifeandwhateverIdiddesireformyselfthere
werepiecesofgold whichmade mefeel assuredofthefutureandunafraidtospendthesilver.
A glorious feeling of contentment was within me! You would not have known me for thy
hardworking friend. Nor wouldst have known my wife,so freefromwrinkleswas herfaceand
shiningwithhappiness.Shewasagainthesmilingmaidenofourearlymarrieddays."
"A pleasant dream, indeed," commented Kobbi, "but why should such pleasant feelings as it
arousedturntheeintoaglumstatueuponthewall?"
"Why,indeed!Becausewhen Iawokeandrememberedhowempty wasmypurse,afeelingof

rebellion swept over me. Let us talk it over together, for, as thesailorsdosay,weride in the
sameboat, wetwo. Asyoungsters,wewenttogethertotheprieststolearnwisdom. Asyoung
men, we shared each other's pleasures. As grown men, we have always been close friends.
Wehavebeencontentedsubjectsofourkind.Wehavebeensatisfiedtoworklonghoursand
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spend our earnings freely. We have earned much coin in the years that have passed, yet to
know the joys that come from wealth, we must dream about them. Bah! Are we more than
dumbsheep? Welive intherichest cityinalltheworld.The travelers do saynoneequalsitin
wealth. About us is much display of wealth, but of it we ourselves have naught. After half a
lifetime of hard labor, thou, my best of friends,hast anempty purseand sayest tome,"MayI
borrowsucha trifle as twoshekels untilafterthe noblemen'sfeastthisnight?" Then,whatdoI
reply? DoIsay,"HereismypurseitscontentswillIgladlyshare?'No,Iadmitthatmypurseis
as empty as thine. What is the matter? Why cannot we acquire silver and goldmore than
enoughforfoodandrobes?
"Consider, also, our sons," Bansir continued, "are they not following in the footsteps of their
fathers? Needtheyandtheirfamilies andtheirsonsandtheirsons'familieslivealltheirlivesin
the midst of such treasurers of gold, and yet, like us,becontenttobanquetuponsourgoat's
milkandporridge?"
"Never, in all the years of our friendship, didst thou talk like this before, Bansir." Kobbi was
puzzled.
"NeverinallthoseyearsdidIthinklikethisbefore.Fromearlydawnuntildarknessstoppedme,
Ihavelaboredtobuildthefinestchariotsanymancouldmake,softheartedlyhopingsomeday
the Gods would recognize my worthy deeds and bestow upon me great prosperity.This they
have never done.Atlast,Irealizethis theywillneverdo. Therefore,my heartis sad.I wish to
bea man ofmeans. Iwishto own landsand cattle,tohavefinerobesandcoinsinmypurse.I
amwillingtoworkforthesethingswithallthestrengthinmyback,withalltheskillinmyhands,
with all the cunning inmy mind,butI wish mylaborsto be fairlyrewarded.What isthe matter
withus?AgainIask you! Why cannot wehaveourjustshareofthegoodthingssoplentifulfor
thosewhohavethegoldwithwhichtobuythem?"
"WouldIknewananswer!"Kobbireplied. "NobetterthanthouamIsatisfied.Myearningsfrom
my lyre are quickly gone. Often must I plan and scheme that my family be not hungry. Also,
within my breast is a deep longing for a lyre large enough that itmaytrulysing thestrainsof
music that do surge through my mind.Withsuchaninstrument couldImakemusicfinerthan
eventhekinghasheardbefore."
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"Sucha lyrethoushouldsthave.No man inallBabyloncouldmakeitsingmoresweetlycould
makeitsingsosweetly,notonlythekingbuttheGodsthemselveswouldbedelighted.Buthow
mayest thou secure it while webothofusareaspoorastheking'sslaves?Listento thebell!
Heretheycome."Hepointedtothelongcolumnofhalfnaked,sweatingwaterbearersplodding
laboriously up the narrow street from theriver.Fiveabreasttheymarched,each bent undera
heavygoatskinofwater.
"A fine figure of a man, he who doth lead them." Kobbi indicated the wearer of the bell who
marchedinfrontwithoutaload."Aprominentmaninhisowncountry,'tiseasytosee."
"There aremanygood figures inthe line,"Bansiragreed,"asgoodmenaswe.Tall,blondmen

from thenorth,laughing blackmenfromthesouth,little brownmenfromthe nearer countries.
All marching together from the river to the gardens, back and forth, day after day, year after
year. Naught of happiness to look forward to. Beds of strawuponwhichto sleephardgrain
porridgetoeat.Pitythepoorbrutes,Kobbi!"
"PitythemIdo.Yet,thoudostmakemeseehowlittlebetteroffarewe,freementhoughwecall
ourselves."
That is truth, Kobbi, unpleasant thought though it be. We do not wish to go on year after
yearlivingslavishlives.Working,working,working!Gettingnowhere."
"Mightwenotfindouthowothersacquiregoldanddoastheydo?"Kobbiinquired.
Perhaps there is some secret we mightlearnif webutsoughtfromthose whoknew,"replied
Bansirthoughtfully.
Thisveryday,suggestedKobbi, "Ididpassour oldfriend,Arkad, ridinginhisgoldenchariot.

This Iwill say,hedidnotlookovermyhumblehead as manyinhisstationmight considerhis
right.Instead, hedidwavehis handthat all onlookersmightseehimpaygreetingsandbestow
hissmileoffriendshipuponKobbi,themusician."
"HeisclaimedtobetherichestmaninallBabylon,"Bansirmused.
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"So rich the king is said to seek his golden aid in affairs of the treasury," Kobbi replied. "So
rich,"Bansir interrupted, "IfearifIshouldmeethiminthedarknessofthenight,Ishouldlaymy
handsuponhisfatwallet"
"Nonsense," reproved Kobbi,"aman'swealthis notinthepurse hecarries.Afatpursequickly

emptiesiftherebenogoldenstreamtorefillit.Arkadhasanincomethatconstantlykeepshis
pursefull,nomatterhowliberallyhespends."
"Income, that is the thing," ejaculated Bansir. "I wish an income thatwill keepflowinginto my
pursewhetherIsituponthewall ortravelto farlands.Arkadmustknow howamancanmake
anincomeforhimself.Dostsuppose itissomethinghe couldmakecleartoamindasslowas
mine?"
"Methinkshedidteach hisknowledge tohisson,Nomasir,"Kobbiresponded."Didhenotgoto

Nineveh and, so itistoldatthe inn,become,withoutaidfromhisfather,oneoftherichestmen
inthatcity?"
"Kobbi, thou bringest to me a rare thought." A new light gleamed in Bansir's eyes. "It costs
nothing to ask wise advicefromagoodfriend andArkadwas always that. Nevermindthough
ourpursesbeas emptyasthefalcon'snestofayearago.Letthatnotdetainus.Weareweary
of being without gold inthemidst of plenty.Wewishtobecomemenofmeans. Come,letus
gotoArkadandaskhowwe,also,mayacquireincomesforourselves."
Thou speakest with true inspiration, Bansir. Thou bringeth to my mind a new understanding.
Thou makest me to realize the reason why we have never foundany measure ofwealth.We
neversoughtit.Thouhastlabored patientlytobuildthestaunchestchariotsinBabylon.Tothat
purpose was devoted your best endeavors. Therefore, at it thou didst succeed. I strove to
becomeaskillfullyreplayer.And,atitIdidsucceed.
"In those things toward which we exerted our bestendeavorswesucceeded.TheGodswere

contenttoletuscontinuethus.Now,atlast,weseealight,brightlikethatfromtherisingsun.It
biddeth us to learn more that we may prosper more. With a new understanding weshallfind
honorablewaystoaccomplishourdesires."
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"LetusgotoArkadthisveryday,"Bansirurged, "Also,letusask otherfriendsofourboyhood

days, who have fared no better than ourselves, to join us that they, too, may share in his
wisdom."
"Thouwerteverthusthoughtfulofthyfriends,Bansir.Thereforehastthoumanyfriends.Itshall
beasthousayest.Wegothisdayandtakethemwithus."
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The Richest Man in Babylon
In old Babylon there once lived a certain very rich man named Arkad. Far and wide he was
famed for his great wealth. Also was be famed for his liberality. He was generous in his
charities. He was generous with his family. He was liberal in his own expenses. But
neverthelesseachyearhiswealthincreasedmorerapidlythanhespentit.
And there were certain friends of younger days who came to him and said: "You, Arkad,are
morefortunatethanwe. Youhave becometherichestmaninallBabylonwhilewestrugglefor
existence.Youcanwearthefinestgarmentsandyoucanenjoytherarestfoods,whilewemust
becontentifwecanclotheourfamiliesinraimentthatispresentableandfeedthemasbestwe
can.
"Yet, oncewewereequal.Westudied underthe samemaster.Weplayedinthesamegames.

And in neither thestudiesnorthegamesdidyououtshineus.Andintheyearssince,youhave
beennomoreanhonorablecitizenthanwe.
"Nor have you worked harder ormore faithfully,insofaraswe canjudge.Why,then,shoulda

fickle fate single you out to enjoy all the good things of life and ignore us who are equally
deserving?"
Thereupon Arkad remonstratedwiththem,saying, "Ifyou havenotacquiredmorethana bare

existence in the years since we were youths, it is because youeither havefailedtolearnthe
lawsthatgovernthebuildingofwealth,orelseyoudonotobservethem.
"'FickleFate'isaviciousgoddesswhobrings no permanentgood toanyone.Onthecontrary,

she brings ruin to almost every man upon whom she showers unearned gold. She makes
wanton spenders, who soon dissipate all they receive and are left beset by overwhelming
appetites and desires they havenotthe abilitytogratify.Yetotherswhomshefavorsbecome
misers and hoard theirwealth,fearingtospend whatthey have,knowing they do notpossess
theabilityto replaceit. Theyfurtherarebeset by fearofrobbersanddoomthemselvestolives
ofemptinessandsecretmisery.
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"Othersthereprobablyare,whocantakeunearnedgoldandaddtoitandcontinuetobehappy
and contented citizens. But so few are they, I know of thembutbyhearsay.Thinkyouofthe
menwhohaveinheritedsuddenwealth,andseeifthesethingsarenotso.
" His friends admitted that of the men they knew who had inheritedwealththese wordswere
true, and they besought him to explain to them how he had become possessed of so much
prosperity, so hecontinued:"InmyyouthIlookedabout meand sawallthe goodthingsthere
were to bring happiness andcontentment.AndIrealized thatwealthincreasedthe potencyof
allthese."Wealthisapower.Withwealthmanythingsarepossible.
"Onemayornamentthehomewiththerichestoffurnishings."Onemaysailthedistantseas.
"Onemayfeastonthedelicaciesoffarlands.
"Onemaybuytheornamentsofthegoldworkerandthestonepolisher.
"OnemayevenbuildmightytemplesfortheGods.
"One may do all these things and many others in which there is delight for the senses and
gratificationforthesoul.
"And,whenI realizedallthis,IdecidedtomyselfthatIwouldclaimmyshareofthegoodthings
oflife.I wouldnot be oneofthose whostandafaroff,enviouslywatchingothersenjoy.Iwould
notbecontent to clothemyselfinthecheapestraimentthatlookedrespectable.Iwouldnotbe
satisfied with the lot of a poor man. On the contrary, I would make myself a guest at this
banquetofgoodthings.
"Being, as you know, the son ofahumble merchant,one ofalargefamilywith no hopeof an

inheritance, and not being endowed, as you have so frankly said, with superior powers or
wisdom,IdecidedthatifIwastoachievewhatIdesired,timeandstudywouldberequired.
"As fortime,allmenhave itinabundance.You,eachofyou,haveletslipbysufficienttimeto
have made yourselves wealthy. Yet, you admit you have nothing to show except your good
families,ofwhichyoucanbejustlyproud.
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"As for study, did not our wise teacher teach us that learning was of two kinds: the one kind
being the things we learned and knew, and the other beingthetrainingthattaughtushow to
findoutwhatwedidnotknow?
"Thereforedid Idecidetofindouthowonemightaccumulatewealth,andwhenIhadfoundout,
tomakethismytaskanddoitwell.For,isitnotwisethatweshouldenjoywhilewedwellinthe
brightness ofthe sunshine,forsorrows enoughshalldescend uponuswhenwe departforthe
darknessoftheworldofspirit?
"Ifound employmentasa scribeinthehallofrecords,andlonghourseachdayIlaboredupon

theclaytablets.Weekafterweek,andmonthaftermonth,Ilabored, yetformy earningsI had
naughttoshow.Food andclothing andpenancetothegods, andother thingsofwhichIcould
remembernotwhat,absorbedallmyearnings.Butmydeterminationdidnotleaveme.
"And onedayAlgamish,the money lender, cametothehouseofthecitymasterandordereda

copyoftheNinth Law, andhesaidtome, Imusthavethisin twodays, andifthetaskisdone
bythattime,twocopperswillIgivetothee."
"SoIlabored hard,butthe lawwaslong,andwhenAlgamishreturnedthetaskwasunfinished.

Hewasangry,andhadIbeenhisslave,hewouldhavebeatenme.Butknowingthecitymaster
would not permit him to injure me, I was unafraid, so Isaidtohim,'Algamish,you area very
rich man. Tell me how I may also become rich, and all night I will carve upon the clay, and
whenthesunrisesitshallbecompleted.'
"Hesmiledatmeandreplied,'Youareaforwardknave,butwewillcallitabargain.'
"All that nightIcarved,thoughmy backpained andthesmellofthewickmade myheadache

untilmyeyescouldhardlysee.Butwhenhereturnedatsunup,thetabletswerecomplete.
"'Now,'Isaid,'tellmewhatyoupromised.'
" 'You have fulfilled your partofour bargain,myson,'hesaidtomekindly,'andI amready to

fulfillmine.IwilltellyouthesethingsyouwishtoknowbecauseIambecominganoldman,and
an oldtongueloves to wag. Andwhen youthcomestoage for advice he receivesthe wisdom
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ofyears. Buttoooften does youththinkthatageknowsonlythewisdomofdaysthataregone,

and therefore profits not. But remember this, the sun that shines today is the sun thatshone
when thy father was born, and will still beshiningwhenthy lastgrandchild shall passintothe
darkness.
"'Thethoughtsofyouth,'hecontinued,'arebrightlightsthatshineforthlikethemeteorsthatoft
makebrilliant thesky, butthewisdomofageislikethefixedstarsthatshinesounchangedthat
thesailormaydependuponthemtosteerhiscourse.
"'Markyou wellmy words, for ifyoudonotyouwillfailtograspthetruththatIwilltellyou,and

youwillthinkthatyournight'sworkhasbeeninvain.'
"Thenhelookedatmeshrewdlyfromunderhisshaggybrowsandsaidinalow,forcefultone,'I
foundtheroadtowealthwhenIdecidedthatapartofallIearnedwasminetokeep.Andsowill
you.'
"ThenhecontinuedtolookatmewithaglancethatIcouldfeelpiercemebutsaidnomore.
"'Isthatall?'Iasked.
" 'That was sufficient to changetheheartofasheepherderinto theheartofa money lender,'

hereplied.
"'ButallIearnisminetokeep,isitnot?'Idemanded.
" 'Far from it,' he replied. 'Do you not pay the garment maker? Do you not pay the
sandalmaker? Do you not pay for the things you eat? Can you live in Babylon without
spending?Whathaveyoutoshowforyourearningsofthepastmouth?Whatforthepastyear?
Fool! You pay to everyone but yourself. Dullard, you labor for others. As well beaslaveand
work for what yourmastergives youtoeatandwear.Ifyou didkeepforyourself onetenthof
allyouearn,howmuchwouldyouhaveintenyears?'
"My knowledge of the numbers did not forsake me, and I answered, 'As much as I earn in
oneyear.'
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" 'You speak but half the truth,' he retorted. 'Every gold piece you saveisa slavetoworkfor
you.Everycopperitearnsisitschildthatalso canearnforyou.Ifyouwouldbecomewealthy,
then what you save mustearn,and its childrenmustearn, thatallmayhelptogive toyouthe
abundanceyoucrave.
" 'You think I cheat you for your long night's work,' he continued, 'but I am paying you
athousandtimesoverifyouhavetheintelligencetograspthetruthIofferyou.
"'Apartofallyouearnisyours tokeep.Itshouldbenotless thanatenthnomatterhowlittle

you earn. It can be as much more as you can afford. Pay yourself first. Do not buy fromthe
clothesmaker and the sandalmaker more than you can pay out of the rest and still have
enoughforfoodandcharityandpenancetothegods.
"'Wealth,like atree,grows from atinyseed.Thefirst copper yousaveistheseedfromwhich

your tree of wealth shallgrow.Thesooner youplantthatseedthesoonershallthetree grow.
And themorefaithfullyyou nourishandwaterthattreewithconsistentsavings,thesoonermay
youbaskincontentmentbeneathitsshade.'
"Sosaying,hetookhistabletsandwentaway.
"I thought much about what he hadsaidtome, andit seemedreasonable.So IdecidedthatI

would try it. Each time I was paid I took one from eachtenpieces ofcopper andhiditaway.
And strangeasit mayseem,Iwasnoshorteroffunds,thanbefore.Inoticedlittledifferenceas
I managed to get along without it. But often I was tempted, as my hoard began to grow, to
spend it for some of the good things the merchants displayed, brought by camels and ships
fromthelandofthePhoenicians.ButIwiselyrefrained.
"A twelfth month after Algamish had gone he again returned and said to me, 'Son, have you
paidtoyourselfnotlessthanonetenthofallyouhaveearnedforthepastyear?'
"I answered proudly, 'Yes, master, I have.' " 'That is good,' he answered beaming upon me,
'andwhathaveyoudonewithit?'
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"'IhavegivenittoAzmur,thebrickmaker,whotoldmehewastravelingoverthefarseasand
inTyrehewouldbuyforme therare jewelsofthe Phoenicians.Whenhereturnsweshallsell
theseathighpricesanddividetheearnings.'
" 'Every fool must learn,' he growled, 'but why trust the knowledge of a brickmaker about
jewels?Wouldyougotothebreadmakertoinquireaboutthestars?No,bymytunic,youwould
go to theastrologer,ifyouhad powertothink. Your savingsaregone,youth, youhavejerked
yourwealthtreeup by theroots.Butplantanother. Tryagain.And nexttimeifyouwouldhave
advice about jewels,gotothe jewelmerchant.Ifyouwouldknowthe truth aboutsheep,goto
theherdsman.Adviceis onething thatisfreelygiven away,but watchthatyoutakeonlywhat
is worthhaving.He whotakesadvice abouthissavings fromonewhoisinexperiencedinsuch
matters, shall paywithhissavings forprovingthefalsityof theiropinions.'Sayingthis,hewent
away.
"And itwasashesaid.For thePhoeniciansarescoundrelsandsoldtoAzmurworthlessbitsof

glassthatlookedlikegems.ButasAlgamishhadbidme,Iagainsavedeachtenthcopper,forI
nowhadformedthehabitanditwasnolongerdifficult.
"Again, twelve months later, Algamish came to the room of the scribes and addressed me.
'WhatprogresshaveyoumadesincelastIsawyou?'
" 'I have paid myself faithfully,' I replied, 'and my savings I have entrusted to Agger the
shieldmaker,tobuybronze,andeachfourthmonthhedoespaymetherental.'
" 'That isgood.And what doyoudowiththe rental?'"'Idohave agreatfeast withhoneyand

fine wine andspicedcake.AlsoI haveboughtmeascarlettunic.AndsomedayIshallbuyme
a youngassuponwhichtoride.'"Towhich Algamish laughed, 'Youdoeatthechildrenofyour
savings. Then how doyouexpectthem toworkfor you? Andhowcanthey havechildrenthat
will also work for you? First get thee anarmyofgoldenslaves andthenmany arichbanquet
mayyouenjoywithoutregret.'Sosayingheagainwentaway.
"Nor did I again see him for two years, when he once more returned andhis facewasfull of
deep lines and his eyes drooped, for he was becoming a very old man. And he said to me,
'Arkad,hastthouyetachievedthewealththoudreamedof?'
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"And Ianswered, 'NotyetallthatIdesire,butsomeIhaveanditearnsmore,anditsearnings
earnmore.'
"'Anddoyoustilltaketheadviceofbrickmakers?'
"'Aboutbrickmakingtheygivegoodadvice,'Iretorted.
"'Arkad,'hecontinued,'youhavelearned your lessonswell.Youfirstlearned to liveuponless

thanyou couldearn.Nextyou learnedtoseekadvicefromthosewhowerecompetentthrough
theirownexperiencestogiveit.And,lastly,youhavelearnedtomakegoldworkforyou.
"'Youhave taughtyourselfhow toacquiremoney,howtokeepit,andhowtouseit.Therefore,

you arecompetent foraresponsibleposition.Iambecominganoldman.Mysonsthinkonlyof
spending and giveno thoughtto earning.My interestsare greatand Ifear toomuchfor meto
look after. If you will go to Nippur and look after my lands there,Ishallmakeyoumypartner
andyoushallshareinmyestate.'
"SoIwent toNippurandtookchargeof hisholdings,whichwerelarge.AndbecauseIwasfull

of ambition and becauseIhadmasteredthethree laws ofsuccessfullyhandlingwealth, Iwas
enabledtoincreasegreatlythevalueofhisproperties.
SoIprosperedmuch,andwhenthespiritofAlgamishdepartedforthesphereofdarkness,Idid
share in his estate as he had arranged under the law." So spake Arkad, and when he had
finishedhis tale, oneofhisfriendssaid,"YouwereindeedfortunatethatAlgamishmadeofyou
anheir."
"FortunateonlyinthatI hadthe desiretoprosper beforeIfirstmethim.ForfouryearsdidInot

prove my definiteness of purpose by keeping onetenth of all earned? Would you call a
fishermanlucky whofor yearssostudiedthe habitsofthefishthatwitheachchangingwindhe
could cast his nets about them? Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with
thosewhoareunprepared."
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"Youhadstrongwillpowertokeeponafteryoulostyourfirstyear'ssavings.Youareunusualin
thatway,"spokeupanother.
"Will power!" retortedArkad."Whatnonsense.Doyouthinkwillpowergivesamanthestrength

toliftaburdenthecamelcannotcarry,orto drawaloadtheoxencannotbudge?Willpoweris
butthe unflinchingpurposetocarrya taskyousetfor yourselftofulfillment.IfIsetformyselfa
task,beit eversotrifling,Ishallseeitthrough.HowelseshallIhaveconfidenceinmyselftodo
important things? Should I saytomyself,'Forahundred days as Iwalkacrossthebridgeinto
the city, I will pick from the road a pebble and cast it into the stream,' I woulddoit.If onthe
seventh dayIpassed by without remembering,Iwould notsay tomyself, TomorrowIwill cast
two pebbles which willdoaswell.'Instead,I wouldretracemy stepsand castthepebble.Nor
onthetwentiethdaywouldIsaytomyself,'Arkad,thisisuseless.Whatdoesitavailyoutocast
a pebbleeveryday?Throwin ahandfulandbedonewithit.' No,Iwouldnotsaythatnordoit.
When I set a task for myself, I complete it. Therefore, I am careful not to start difficult and
impracticaltasks,becauseIloveleisure."
And then another friend spoke up and said, "If what you tellistrue,and itdoesseemasyou
havesaid,reasonable,thenbeing sosimple,ifallmendidit,therewouldnotbeenoughwealth
togoaround."
"Wealth grows wherever men exert energy," Arkad replied. "If a rich man builds him a new
palace,isthegoldhepaysout gone?No,thebrickmakerhaspartofitandthelaborerhaspart
of it, and the artist has part of it. And everyone who labors upon the househaspart ofitYet
whenthe palace iscompleted,isitnotworthallitcost?Andisthegrounduponwhichitstands
notworthmorebecauseitisthere?And isthe ground thatadjoinsitnotworthmorebecauseit
is there? Wealth grows in magic ways. No man can prophesy the limit of it. Have not the
Phoenicians built great cities on barren coasts with the wealth that comes from theirshipsof
commerceontheseas?"
"What then do you advise us to do that we also maybecomerich?"asked stillanotherofhis

friends."Theyearshavepassedandwearenolongeryoungmenandwehavenothingputby."
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"I advise that you take the wisdom of Algamish and say to yourselves, 'A part of all Iearnis
mine to keep.' Say it inthemorningwhenyoufirst arise.Sayitatnoon. Sayit at night.Say it
eachhourofeveryday.Sayittoyourself until thewordsstandoutlikelettersoffireacrossthe
sky.
"Impress yourself with the idea. Fill yourself with the thought. Then take whatever portion
seemswise.Let itbenot lessthanonetenthandlayitby.Arrange your otherexpendituresto
dothis ifnecessary.Butlay by thatportionfirst.Soon youwill realizewhatarichfeelingitisto
ownatreasureuponwhich youalone haveclaim.As itgrowsitwillstimulateyou.Anewjoyof
lifewill thrillyou.Greater effortswillcometoyou to earnmore.Forofyourincreasedearnings,
willnotthesamepercentagebealsoyourstokeep?
"Then learn to make your treasure work for you. Make ityourslave.Makeitschildren andits
children'schildrenworkforyou.
"Insure anincomeforthyfuture.Lookthouatthe aged andforgetnotthatinthedaystocome

thou also will be numbered among them. Therefore invest thy treasure with greatest caution
that it be not lost. Usuriousrates ofreturnaredeceitfulsirens thatsingbut toluretheunwary
upontherocksoflossandremorse.
"Provide also that thyfamily may notwantshouldtheGods calltheetotheirrealms.For such

protection it is always possible to make provision with small payments at regular intervals.
Therefore the provident man delays not in expectation of a large sum becomingavailablefor
suchawisepurpose.
"Counsel withwisemen.Seektheadviceofmenwhosedailyworkishandlingmoney.Letthem
save you from such an error as I myself made in entrusting my money to the judgment of
Azmur,thebrickmaker.Asmallreturnandasafeoneisfarmoredesirablethanrisk.
"Enjoylife whileyou arehere.Do notoverstrainortrytosavetoo much.Ifonetenthofallyou

earn is as much as you can comfortably keep,becontenttokeepthisportion.Liveotherwise
according to your income and let not yourself get niggardly and afraid to spend. Life is good
andlifeisrichwiththingsworthwhileandthingstoenjoy."
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His friends thanked him and went away. Some were silent because they had no imagination
and could not understand. Someweresarcasticbecausetheythoughtthatonesorichshould
divide with old friends not so fortunate. But some hadin theireyes anewlight.Theyrealized
thatAlgamishhadcomebackeachtimetotheroomofthescribesbecausehewaswatchinga
man work his way out of darkness into light. When that man had found the light, a place
awaited him. No one could fill that place until he had for himself worked out his own
understanding,untilhewasreadyforopportunity.
These latter were the ones, who, in the following years, frequently revisited Arkad, who
received them gladly. He counseled with them andgavethem freelyofhiswisdomasmenof
broad experiencearealwaysgladtodo.Andheassistedtheminsoinvestingtheirsavingsthat
it would bring in a good interest with safety and would neither be lost nor entangled in
investmentsthatpaidnodividends.
Theturningpointinthesemen'slivescameuponthatdaywhentheyrealizedthetruththathad
comefromAlgamishtoArkadandfromArkadtothem.
APARTOFALLYOUEARNISYOURSTOKEEP.
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Seven Cures For a Lean Purse
The gloryof Babylonendures.Down throughtheagesitsreputationcomestousastherichest

ofcities,itstreasuresasfabulous.
Yet it was not always so. The riches of Babylon were the results ofthewisdomofitspeople.
Theyfirsthadtolearnhowtobecomewealthy.
When the Good King, Sargon, returned to Babylon after defeating hisenemies,theElamites,
hewasconfrontedwithaserioussituation.TheRoyalChancellorexplainedittotheKingthus:
"After many years of great prosperity brought to our people because your majesty built the
greatirrigationcanalsandthemightytemplesoftheGods,nowthattheseworksarecompleted
thepeopleseemunabletosupportthemselves.
"The laborers are without employment. The merchants have few customers. The farmers are
unabletoselltheirproduce.The people havenotenoughgoldtobuyfood.""Butwherehasall
thegoldgonethatwespentforthesegreatimprovements?"demandedtheKing.
"It hasfound its way, Ifear,"respondedtheChancellor,"intothepossession of afewveryrich

men of our city. It filtered through the fingersofmostour people as quickly as thegoat'smilk
goesthroughthestrainer.Nowthatthestreamofgoldhas ceasedto flow,mostofourpeople
havenothingtofortheirearnings."
The King was thoughtful for some time. Then he asked, "Why should so few men beableto
acquireallthegold?"
"Because they know how," replied the Chancellor. "One may not condemn a man for
succeeding because heknows how. Neithermayonewithjusticetakeawayfroma man what
hehasfairlyearned,togivetomenoflessability."
"But why," demanded the King, "should not all the people learn how to accumulate gold and
thereforebecomethemselvesrichandprosperous?"
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Quite possible, your excellency. But who can teach them? Certainly not the priests, because
theyknownaughtofmoneymaking."
"Whoknowsbestinallourcityhowtobecomewealthy,Chancellor?"askedtheKing.
"Thyquestionanswersitself,yourmajesty.Whohasamassedthegreatestwealth,inBabylon?"
"Wellsaid,myableChancellor.It isArkad.He isrichestmaninBabylon.Bringhim before me

onthemorrow."
Upon the following day, as the King had decreed, Arkad appeared before him, straight and
sprightlydespitehisthreescoreyearsandten.
"Arkad,"spoketheKing,"isittruethouarttherichestmaninBabylon?"
"Soitisreported,yourmajesty,andnomandisputesit"
"Howbecamestthousowealthy?"
"Bytakingadvantageofopportunitiesavailabletoallcitizensofourgoodcity."
"Thouhadstnothingtostartwith?"
"Onlyagreatdesireforwealth.Besidesthis,nothing."
"Arkad,"continuedtheKing, "ourcity isina very unhappystatebecauseafewmenknowhow

to acquire wealth and therefore monopolize it, while the mass of our citizens lack the
knowledgeofhowtokeepanypartofthegoldtheyreceive."
It is my desire that Babylon be the wealthiest city in the world. Therefore,it mustbea cityof
many wealthy men. Therefore, we must teach all the people how to acquire riches. Tell me,
Arkad,isthereanysecrettoacquiringwealth?Canitbetaught?"
"Itispractical,yourmajesty.Thatwhichonemanknowscanbetaughttoothers."
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The king'seyesglowed."Arkad,thouspeakeththewordsIwishtohear.Wiltthoulendthyself
tothisgreat cause?Wiltthouteachthyknowledgetoaschoolforteachers,eachofwhomshall
teachothersuntilthereare enoughtrainedtoteachthese truthstoeveryworthysubjectinmy
domain?"
Arkad bowedandsaid,"Iamthyhumbleservant tocommand.WhateverknowledgeIpossess

will I gladly give for the betterment of my fellowmen and the glory of my King. Letyourgood
chancellor arrange for me a class of one hundred men and I will teach to them those seven
cureswhichdidfattenmypurse,thanwhichtherewasnoneleanerinallBabylon."
A fortnightlater,incompliancewiththeKing'scommand,thechosenhundredassembledinthe
great hall of the Temple of Learning, seated upon colorful rings in a semicircle. Arkad sat
besideasmalltaboretuponwhich smokedasacredlampsendingforthastrangeandpleasing
odor.
"Behold the richest man in Babylon," whispered a student, nudging his neighbor as Arkad
arose."Heisbutamanevenastherestofus."
"As a dutiful subject of our great King," Arkad began, "I stand before you in his service.
BecauseonceIwasa poor youthwhodidgreatlydesire gold,andbecauseIfoundknowledge
thatenabledmetoacquireit,heasksthatIimpartuntoyoumyknowledge.
"I startedmy fortune inthehumblestway.Ihadnoadvantagenotenjoyedasfullybyyou and

everycitizeninBabylon."
The firststorehouseofmytreasurewasawellpurse.Iloatheditsuselessemptiness.Idesired
itbe roundand full,clinking withthesoundofgold.Therefore,Isoughteveryremedyforalean
purse.Ifoundseven.
"Toyou,whoareassembledbeforeme,shallIexplainthesevencuresforaleanpursewhichI
dorecommendtoallmenwhodesire muchgold.EachdayforsevendayswillIexplaintoyou
oneofthesevenremedies.
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"Listen attentively to the knowledge that I will impart. Debate it with me. Discuss it among
yourselves.Learn theselessonsthoroughly,thatyemayalso plantinyourownpursetheseed
of wealth. First must each of you start wisely to build a fortune of his own.Thenwilt thou be
competent,andonlythen,toteachthesetruthstoothers.
"I shall teach to you in simple ways howto fattenyourpurses.Thisisthefirststep leadingto

thetempleofwealth,andnomanmayclimbwhocannotplanthisfeetfirmlyuponthefirststep.
"Weshallnowconsiderthefirstcure."
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THE FIRST CURE

Start thy purse to fattening
Arkad addressed a thoughtful man in the second row. "My good friend, at whatcraftworkest
thou?"
"I,"repliedtheman,"amascribe andcarve recordsupontheclaytablets.""Evenatsuchlabor

didImyselfearnmyfirstcoppers.Therefore,thouhastthesameopportunitytobuildafortune."
Hespoketoafloridfacedman,fartherback."Praytellalsowhatdostthoutoearnthybread?"
"I,"respondedthis man,"amameatbutcher. Idobuythegoatsthefarmersraiseandkillthem

andsellthemeattothehousewivesandthehidestothesandalmakers."
"Because thou dost also labor and earn, thou hast every advantage to succeed that I did
possess."
InthiswaydidArkadproceedtofindouthoweachmanlaboredtoearnhisliving.Whenhehad
donequestioningthem,hesaid:
"Now, my students, ye canseethatthere aremany tradesandlabors atwhichmenmayearn

coins. Eachof thewaysofearningisa stream of goldfromwhichtheworkerdothdivertbyhis
labors a portion to his own purse. Therefore into the purse of each of you flows a stream of
coinslargeorsmallaccordingtohisability.Isitnotso?"
Thereuponthey agreed thatitwasso."Then,"continuedArkad,"ifeachofyoudesirethtobuild

forhimselfafortune,isitnotwisetostartbyutilizingthatsourceofwealthwhichhealreadyhas
established?"
Tothistheyagreed.
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ThenArkadturned toahumblemanwhohaddeclaredhimselfaneggmerchant."Ifthouselect
one ofthybasketsandputintoiteachmorningteneggsandtakeoutfromiteacheveningnine
eggs,whatwilleventuallyhappen?"
"Itwillbecomeintimeoverflowing."
"Why?"
"BecauseeachdayIputinonemoreeggthanItakeout."
Arkadturnedtotheclasswithasmile."Doesanymanherehavealeanpurse?"
Firsttheylookedamused.Thentheylaughed.Lastlytheywavedtheirpursesinjest.
"Allright,"hecontinued,"NowIshalltelltheethefirstremedyIlearnedtocurealeanpurse.Do
exactly as I have suggested to the egg merchant. For every ten coinsthouplacestwithin thy
purse take out forusebutnine.Thy pursewillstarttofatten at once anditsincreasingweight
willfeelgoodinthyhandandbringsatisfactiontothysoul.
"Deride not what I say because of its simplicity.Truthisalwayssimple.I toldtheeIwouldtell

howbuilt myfortune.Thiswasmybeginning.I,too,carriedaleanpurseandcurseditbecause
therewasnaughtwithin tosatisfymy desires.But whenIbeganto take outfrommypursebut
ninepartsoftenIputin,itbegantofatten.Sowillthine.
"NowIwill tellastrange truth,thereasonfor whichIknownot.WhenIceasedtopayoutmore

than ninetenths of my earnings, I managed to get along just as well. I was not shorter than
before. Also, ere long, did coins come to memoreeasilythanbefore.Surely itisalawofthe
Godsthatuntohim whokeepethandspendeth notacertainpartofallhisearnings,shallgold
comemoreeasily.Likewise,himwhosepurseisemptydoesgoldavoid.
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"Which desirestthouthemost?Isitthegratificationof thydesiresofeachday,ajewel,abitof
finery, better raiment, more food things quickly gone and forgotten? Or is it substantial
belongings, gold, lands, herds, merchandise, incomebringing investments? The coins thou
takestfromthypursebringthefirst.Thecoinsthouleavestwithinitwillbringthelatter.
"This,mystudents,wasthe firstcureIdid discoverfor myleanpurse:'ForeachtencoinsIput
in, to spend but nine.' Debate this amongst yourselves. If any man proves it untrue, tell me
uponthemorrowwhenweshallmeetagain."
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THE SECOND CURE

Control thy expenditures
"Some ofyourmembers, mystudents,haveaskedmethis:Howcan amankeeponetenthof
all he earns in his purse when all the coins he earns are not enough for his necessary
expenses?"SodidArkadaddresshisstudentsuponthesecondday.
"Yesterdayhowmanyoftheecarriedleanpurses?"
"Allofus,"answeredtheclass.
"Yet, thou do not all earn the same. Some earn much more than others. Some have much
larger familiesto support.Yet,allpurseswereequallylean.NowIwilltelltheeanunusualtruth
aboutmenandsonsofmen.It isthisThatwhateachofuscallsour'necessaryexpenses'will
alwaysgrowtoequalourincomesunlessweprotesttothecontrary.
"Confuse not the necessary expenses with thy desires. Each of you, together withyourgood
families, havemoredesiresthanyourearningscangratify.Thereforearethyearningsspentto
gratifythesedesiresinsofarastheywillgo.Stillthouretainestmanyungratifieddesires.
"All menareburdened withmore desiresthan they cangratify.Becauseofmywealththinkest

thouImaygratifyeverydesire?'Tisafalseidea.Therearelimitstomytime.Therearelimitsto
my strength. There are limits to the distance I may travel. There are limits towhatI may eat.
TherearelimitstothezestwithwhichImayenjoy.
"Isayto youthatjustasweedsgrowinafieldwhereverthefarmerleavesspacefortheirroots,
even so freely do desires grow in men whenever there is a possibility of their beinggratified.
Thydesiresareamultitudeandthosethatthoumayestgratifyarebutfew.
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"Study thoughtfully thy accustomed habits of living. Herein may be most often found certain
accepted expenses that may wisely be reduced or eliminated. Let thy motto be one hundred
percentofappreciatedvaluedemandedforeachcoinspent.
"Therefore, engrave upon the clay each thing for which thou desireth to spend. Select those
that are necessary and others that are possible throughtheexpenditure ofnine tenthsofthy
income. Cross outtherestandconsiderthembutapart of thatgreatmultitudeofdesiresthat
mustgounsatisfiedandregretthemnot.
"Budgetthenthynecessaryexpenses.Touchnottheonetenththat isfatteningthypurse.Let
this be thygreatdesirethat isbeing fulfilled.Keepworking withthybudget,keepadjustingitto
helpthee.Makeitthyfirstassistantindefendingthyfatteningpurse."
Hereupon one of the students, wearing a robe of red and gold, arose and said, "I am a free
man.Ibelieve thatit ismyright toenjoythegoodthingsoflife.ThereforedoIrebelagainstthe
slavery of a budget whichdeterminesjust howmuch Imayspend andforwhat. Ifeel itwould
takemuchpleasurefrommylifeandmakemelittlemorethanapackasstocarryaburden."
TohimArkadreplied,"Who,myfriend,woulddeterminethybudget?"
"Iwouldmakeitformyself,"respondedtheprotestingone.
"In that case were a packass to budget his burden wouldheincludethereinjewelsand rugs
and heavy bars of gold? Not so. He would include hay and grain and a bag of water for the
deserttrail
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"The purpose of a budget is to help thy purse to fatten. It is to assist thee to have thy
necessitiesand,insofarasattainable,thy otherdesires.Itis to enabletheetorealizethymost
cherisheddesiresby defendingthemfromthycasualwishes. Likeabrightlightina darkcave
thy budget shows up the leaks from thy purse and enables thee to stopthem andcontrolthy
expendituresfordefiniteandgratifyingpurposes.
"This, then, is the second cure for a lean purse. Budget thy expenses thatthoumayesthave
coinstopay forthynecessities,topayforthyenjoymentsandtogratify thyworthwhiledesires
withoutspendingmorethanninetenthsofthyearnings."
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THE THIRD CURE

Make thy gold multiply
"Beholdthyleanpurseisfattening.Thouhastdisciplinedthyselftoleavethereinonetenthofall
thou earneth. Thou hast controlled thy expenditures to protectthygrowing treasure.Next,we
willconsidermeanstoputthy treasuretolaborandto increase. Goldinapurseisgratifyingto
ownandsatisfiethamiserlysoulbutearns nothing.Thegoldwemayretainfromourearnings
is but the start. The earnings it will make shall build our fortunes." So spoke Arkad upon the
thirddaytohisclass.
"Howthereforemayweputourgold to work?My firstinvestmentwasunfortunate,forIlostall.

Its tale I will relate later. My first profitable investment was a loan I made to a man named
Aggar, a shield maker. Once each year did he buy large shipments of bronze brought from
across the sea to use in his trade. Lacking sufficient capital to pay the merchants, he would
borrow from those who had extra coins. He was an honorable man. His borrowing he would
repay,togetherwithaliberalrental,ashesoldhisshields.
"EachtimeIloanedtohim Iloanedbackalsotherental hehadpaidtome.Thereforenotonly

didmy capital increase, butitsearningslikewiseincreased.Mostgratifyingwasittohavethese
sumsreturntomypurse.
"I tell you, my students, a man's wealth is not in the coins he carries in his purse it is the
income he buildeth, the golden stream that continually floweth into his purse and keepeth it
alwaysbulging.Thatiswhatevery man desireth.Thatiswhatthou,each oneoftheedesireth
anincomethatcontinuethtocomewhetherthouworkortravel.
"Great income I have acquired. So great that I am called averyrich man. MyloanstoAggar
weremyfirsttraininginprofitableinvestment.Gainingwisdomfromthisexperience,Iextended
my loans and investments as my capital increased. From a few sources at first, from many
sourceslater, flowed intomypurseagoldenstreamofwealthavailableforsuchwiseusesasI
shoulddecide.
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"Behold,frommy humbleearnings Ihad begottenahoardofgoldenslaves,eachlaboringand
earning more gold. As they labored for me, so their children also labored andtheirchildren's
childrenuntilgreatwastheincomefromtheircombinedefforts.
"Goldincreaseth rapidly whenmakingreasonableearningsasthou wiltsee fromthefollowing:

A farmer, when his first son was born, took ten pieces of silverto amoneylenderand asked
him tokeep itonrental forhisson untilhebecametwentyyearsofage.Thisthemoneylender
did, andagreedthe rentalshouldbeonefourth ofitsvalueeachfouryears.Thefarmerasked,
because this sum he had set aside as belonging to his son, that the rental be add to the
principal.
"Whentheboyhadreachedtheageoftwentyyears,thefarmeragainwenttothemoneylender
to inquire about the silver. The money lender explained that because this sum had been
increased by compound interest, the original ten pieces of silver had now grown tothirty and
onehalfpieces.
"The farmer waswellpleasedandbecausethesondidnotneedthecoins,heleftthemwiththe

moneylender.When theson becamefifty yearsofage,thefather meantimehavingpassedto
the other world, the money lender paid the son in settlement one hundred and sixtyseven
piecesofsilver.
"Thusinfiftyyearshadtheinvestmentmultiplieditselfatrentalalmostseventeentimes.
"This,then,isthethirdcureforaleanpurse: toputeachcointolaboringthatitmayreproduce
its kind even as the flocks of the field and help bring to theeincome,astreamofwealththat
shallflowconstantlyintothypurse."
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THE FOURTH CURE

Guard thy treasures from loss
"Misfortune lovesashining mark.Goldinaman's pursemustbeguardedwithfirmness,elseit

belost.Thusitiswisethatwemustfirstsecuresmallamountsandlearntoprotectthembefore
theGodsentrustuswithlarger."SospokeArkaduponthefourthdaytohisclass.
"Every owner of gold is tempted by opportunities whereby it would seem that he couldmake
largesums by its investmentinmostplausibleprojects.Oftenfriendsandrelativesareeagerly
enteringsuchinvestmentandurgehimtofollow.
"The firstsoundprinciple ofinvestmentissecurityfor thyprincipal.Is itwisetobeintriguedby

larger earnings when thyprincipal may be lost? Isay not.Thepenaltyofrisk isprobableloss.
Study carefully, before parting with thy treasure, each assurance that it may be safely
reclaimed.Benotmisledbythineownromanticdesirestomakewealthrapidly.
"Beforethouloan ittoany manassurethyselfofhisabilitytorepayandhisreputationfordoing

so,thatthoumayestnotunwittinglybemakinghimapresentofthyhardearnedtreasure.
"Before thou entrust it as an investment in any field acquaint thyself with the dangers which
maybesetit.
"Myownfirst investment wasatragedytomeatthe time. Theguardedsavingsofa year Idid

entrusttoabrickmaker, named Azmur, who wastravelingoverthefarseasandinTyreagreed
to buy for me the rare jewels of the Phoenicians. These we would sell upon his return and
divide theprofits.ThePhoenicianswerescoundrelsandsoldhimbitsofglass.Mytreasurewas
lost. Today, my training would show to me at once the folly ofentrustingabrickmakertobuy
jewels.
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"Therefore, do I advise thee from thewisdomofmy experiences:benot tooconfidentofthine
own wisdom in entrusting thy treasures to the possible pitfallsofinvestments.Betterbyfar to
consult the wisdom of those experienced in handling money for profit. Such advice is freely
givenfor theasking andmayreadilypossessavalueequalingoldtothesumthouconsiderest
investing.Intruth,suchisitsactualvalueifitsavetheefromloss.
"This, then, is the fourth cure for a lean purse, andof greatimportanceifitpreventthypurse
from being emptied once it has become well filled. Guard thy treasure from loss byinvesting
onlywhere thyprincipal issafe,whereit maybe reclaimedifdesirable,andwherethouwillnot
failtocollectafairrental.Consultwithwisemen.Securetheadviceofthoseexperiencedinthe
profitablehandlingofgold.Lettheirwisdomprotectthytreasurefromunsafeinvestments."
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THE FIFTH CURE

Make of thy dwelling a
profitable investment
"If a man setteth aside nine parts of his earningsuponwhichtoliveandenjoylife,andifany

part of thisninepartshecanturnintoaprofitableinvestmentwithoutdetrimenttohiswellbeing,
thensomuchfasterwillhistreasuresgrow."SospakeArkadtohisclassattheirfifthlesson.
"All toomanyof ourmenofBabylondo raise their familiesin unseemlyquarters.Theydopay

to exacting landlords liberal rentals for rooms where their wives have not a spot to raise the
blooms that gladden a woman's heart and their children have no place to play their games
exceptintheuncleanalleys.
"Noman'sfamilycan fullyenjoy lifeunlessthey dohavea plotofgroundwhereinchildrencan

playin thecleanearth andwherethewifemayraisenotonlyblossomsbutgoodrich herbsto
feedherfamily.
"Toaman'sheartitbringsgladnesstoeatthefigsfromhisowntreesandthegrapesofhisown
vines.Toownhisowndomicileandtohaveitaplaceheisproudtocarefor,puttethconfidence
in his heart andgreatereffortbehindallhis endeavors.Therefore,doIrecommend thatevery
manowntheroofthatshelterethhimandhis.
"Nor is it beyond the ability of any well intentioned man to own his home. Hath notourgreat
king so widely extended the walls of Babylon that within them much land is nowunusedand
maybepurchasedatsumsmostreasonable?
"AlsoIsay to you,my students, thatthemoneylendersgladlyconsiderthedesiresofmenwho

seekhomesand land for their families.Readilymaythouborrowtopaythebrickmakerandthe
builder for such commendable purposes, if thou can show a reasonable portion of the
necessarysumwhichthouthyselfhathprovidedforthepurpose.
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"Then when the house be built, thou canst pay the money lender with thesameregularityas
thoudidstpay thelandlord. Because each payment willreducethyindebtednesstothemoney
lender,afewyearswillsatisfyhisloan.
"Thenwill thyheartbegladbecausethouwiltowninthyownrightavaluablepropertyandthy
onlycostwillbetheking'staxes.
"Also wilt thy good wife go more often totherivertowashthy robes, thateachtimereturning
shemaybringagoatskinofwatertopouruponthegrowingthings.
"Thus come many blessings tothemanwhoownethhis ownhouse.Andgreatlywillitreduce

hiscostofliving,makingavailablemoreofhisearningsforpleasuresandthegratificationofhis
desires.This,then,isthefifthcureforaleanpurse:Ownthyownhome"
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THE SIXTH CURE

Insure a future income
"The lifeof everymanproceedethfromhischildhood tohis oldage.Thisisthepathoflifeand

no man may deviate from it unless the Gods call him prematurely to the world beyond.
ThereforedoIsaythatitbehoovesamantomakepreparationforasuitableincomeinthedays
tocome, whenheis nolonger young,andtomakepreparationsforhisfamilyshouldhebeno
longer with them to comfortandsupportthem.Thislessonshallinstructtheeinprovidingafull
purse when time has made thee less able to learn." So Arkad addressed his class upon the
sixthday.
"The man who, because of his understanding of the laws of wealth, acquireth a growing
surplus, should give thought to those future days. He should plan certain investments or
provision that may endure safely for many years, yet will be available when the time arrives
whichhehassowiselyanticipated.
"There arediversewaysbywhichamanmayprovidewithsafetyforhisfuture.Hemayprovide
a hiding place and there bury a secret treasure. Yet, no matter with what skill itbehidden, it
mayneverthelessbecomethelootofthieves.ForthisreasonIrecommendnotthisplan.
"A man may buy housesorlandsfor thispurpose.If wiselychosenas totheirusefulnessand

valueinthefuture,theyarepermanentintheirvalueandtheirearningsortheirsalewillprovide
wellforhispurpose.
"A man mayloanasmallsumtothemoneylenderandincreaseitatregularperiods.Therental

which themoneylender adds to thiswill largelyaddtoitsincrease.Idoknowasandalmaker,
named Ansan, who explained to me not long ago that each week for eight years he had
depositedwithhismoneylendertwo piecesofsilver.The money lenderhadbutrecentlygiven
him an accounting over which he greatly rejoiced. The total of his small deposits with their
rental at the customary rate of onefourth their value for each four years, had now become a
thousandandfortypiecesofsilver.
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"Idid gladlyencouragehimfurtherbydemonstrating tohimwithmyknowledgeofthenumbers

that intwelveyears more,if hewouldkeep hisregulardepositsofbuttwopiecesofsilvereach
week, the money lender would then owe him four thousand pieces of silver, a worthy
competencefortherestofhislife.
"Surely,whensuch asmallpaymentmade withregularity dothproducesuchprofitableresults,

no man can afford not to insure a treasure forhis oldage andthe protectionof hisfamily,no
matterhowprosperoushisbusinessandhisinvestmentsmaybe.
"IwouldthatI mightsay moreaboutthis.Inmymind rests abelief thatsomedaywisethinking

men will devise a plan to insure against death whereby many men pay in but a trifling sum
regularly, the aggregatemakinga handsomesumforthe familyofeachmemberwho passeth
tothebeyond.ThisdoIseeassomethingdesirableandwhichIcouldhighlyrecommend.
Buttodayitisnotpossiblebecauseitmustreachbeyondthelifeofanymanoranypartnership
tooperate.ItmustbeasstableastheKing's throne. SomedaydoIfeelthatsuchaplanshall
cometopassandbea greatblessingtomany men,because eventhefirstsmallpaymentwill
makeavailableasnugfortuneforthefamilyofamembershouldhepasson.
"But because we live in our own day and not in the days which are to come, must we take
advantage of those means and ways of accomplishing our purposes. Therefore do I
recommend to all men, that they,bywiseand wellthought outmethods,doprovideagainst a
leanpurseintheirmatureyears.Foraleanpursetoamannolongerabletoearnortoafamily
without its head is a sore tragedy. "This, then, is the sixth cure for a lean purse. Provide in
advancefortheneedsofthygrowingageandtheprotectionofthyfamily."
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THE SEVENTH CURE

Increase thy ability to earn
"This day do I speak to thee, mystudents,of oneofthemost vitalremediesfor aleanpurse.

Yet, Iwilltalknotofgoldbutofyourselves,ofthemenbeneaththerobes of manycolors who
do sit before me. I will talk to you of those thingswithin theminds andlivesofmenwhich do
workfororagainsttheirsuccess."SodidArkadaddresshisclassupontheseventhday.
"Not longagocametomeayoungmanseekingtoborrow.WhenIquestionedhimthecauseof
his necessity, he complained that his earnings were insufficient to pay his expenses.
Thereupon I explained to him, this being the case, he was a poor customer for the money
lender,ashepossessednosurplusearningcapacitytorepaytheloan.
"'Whatyou need,youngman,' Itoldhim,'istoearnmorecoins.Whatdostthoutoincreasethy

capacitytoearn?'
" 'All that I can do' he replied. 'Six times within two moons have I approached my master to
requestmypaybeincreased,butwithoutsuccess.Nomancangooftenerthanthat.'
"Wemaysmile at hissimplicity,yethedidpossessoneofthevitalrequirementstoincreasehis
earnings.Withinhimwasastrongdesiretoearnmore,aproperandcommendabledesire.
"Preceding accomplishment must be desire.Thydesires mustbestrong anddefinite.General

desires are but weak longings. For a man to wish to be rich isoflittlepurpose. Foraman to
desire five pieces of gold is a tangible desire which he can press to fulfillment. After he has
backedhisdesireforfivepieces of goldwithstrength of purposetosecureit, next he canfind
similar ways to obtain ten pieces and then twenty pieces and later a thousand pieces and,
behold, he has become wealthy. In learning to secure his one definite small desire, he hath
trainedhimselftosecurea largerone.Thisistheprocessbywhichwealthisaccumulated:first
insmallsums,theninlargeronesasamanlearnsandbecomesmorecapable.
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"Desiresmust be simpleanddefinite. Theydefeat theirownpurposeshouldtheybetoomany,

tooconfusing,orbeyondaman'strainingtoaccomplish."
As a man perfecteth himself in his calling even so doth his ability to earn increase. In those
dayswhenI wasahumblescribecarvingupontheclayforafewcopperseachday,Iobserved
that otherworkersdid morethanIandwerepaidmore.Therefore,didI determinethatIwould
be exceeded by none. Nor did it take long for me to discover the reason for their greater
success. More interest in mywork,moreconcentrationuponmy task, morepersistenceinmy
effort, and, behold, few men could carve more tablets in a day than I. With reasonable
promptnessmy increasedskillwasrewarded,norwasitnecessaryformetogosixtimestomy
mastertorequestrecognition.
"The more of wisdomweknow,themore wemayearn.Thatmanwho seekstolearnmore of

hiscraftshallberichly rewarded.If he isan artisan,hemayseektolearnthemethodsandthe
tools of those most skillful in the same line. If he laboreth at the law or at healing, he may
consult and exchange knowledge with others of his calling. If he be a merchant, he may
continuallyseekbettergoodsthatcanbepurchasedatlowerprices.
"Always do the affairs of man change and improve because keenminded men seek greater
skill thattheymaybetter servethoseupon whosepatronagetheydepend.Therefore,Iurgeall
men to be in the front rank of progress and not to stand still, lest they be left behind. "Many
things cometomakeaman'sliferichwith gainful experiences.Suchthingsasthe following,a
manmustdoifherespecthimself:
"Hemustpayhisdebts withallthepromptnesswithin hispower, notpurchasingthatfor

whichheisunabletopay.
"Hemusttakecareofhisfamilythattheymaythinkandspeakwellofhim.
"He must make a will of record that, in case the Gods call him, proper and honorable
divisionofhispropertybeaccomplished.
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"He must have compassion upon those who are injured and smittenby misfortuneand
aid them within reasonable limits. He must dodeeds of thoughtfulnessto thosedearto
him.
"Thus the seventh and last remedy for a lean purse is to cultivate thy own powers, to
studyandbecome wiser,tobecomemoreskillful,tosoactastorespectthyself.Thereby
shaltthouacquireconfidenceinthyselftoachievethycarefullyconsidereddesires.
"These then are the seven cures for a lean purse,which, outoftheexperienceofalongand
successful life, I do urge for all men who desire wealth. "There is more gold in Babylon, my
students,thanthoudreamestof.Thereisabundanceforall.
"Go thou forth and practice these truthsthatthou mayestprosperandgrowwealthy, asis thy
right.
"Go thou forth and teach these truths that every honorable subject of his majesty may also
shareliberallyintheamplewealthofourbelovedcity."
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Meet the Goddess of Good Luck
"If a man be lucky, there is no foretelling the possible extent of his goodfortune.Pitch
himintotheEuphratesandlikeasnothewillswimoutwithapearlinhishand."
BabylonianProverb.
The desire to be lucky is universal. It was just as strong in the breasts ofmenfourthousand
years agoinancientBabylon as itisin thehearts of mentoday.We all hopeto befavoredby
thewhimsicalGoddessofGoodLuck.
Is there some way we can meet her and attract, not only her favorable attention, but her
generousfavors?Isthereawaytoattractgoodluck?
Thatis justwhatthe men ofancient Babylonwishedtoknow.Itisexactlywhattheydecidedto

find out. They were shrewd men and keen thinkers. That explains why their city became the
richestandmostpowerfulcityoftheirtime.
Inthatdistantpast, theyhadnoschoolsorcolleges.Neverthelesstheyhadacenteroflearning
and averypracticaloneitwas.AmongthetoweredbuildingsinBabylonwasonethatrankedin
importancewiththePalaceoftheKing,theHangingGardensandthetemplesoftheGods.You
will find scant mention of it in the history books, morelikely no mentionatall,yet itexerteda
powerfulinfluenceuponthethoughtofthattime.
This building was the Temple of Learning where the wisdom of the past was expounded by
voluntary teachers and where subjects of popular interest were discussed in open forums.
Within itswallsallmenmet as equals.Thehumblest ofslavescould dispute withimpunitythe
opinionsofaprinceoftheroyalhouse.
Among the manywho frequentedtheTempleofLearning,wasawiserichmannamedArkad,

called the richest man in Babylon. He had his own special hall where almost any evening a
large group of men, someold,someveryyoung,butmostlymiddleaged,gatheredto discuss
and argue interesting subjects. Suppose we listen in to seewhetherthey knewhowto attract
goodluck.
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The sun had just set like a great red balloffireshiningthrough thehazeofdesertdust when
Arkad strolledto hisaccustomedplatform.Alreadyfullfourscoremenwereawaitinghisarrival,
recliningontheirsmallrugsspreaduponthefloor.Morewerestillarriving.
"Whatshallwediscussthisnight?"Arkadinquired.
Aftera brief hesitation,a tallclothweaveraddressedhim, arising aswasthecustom."Ihavea

subjectIwouldliketoheardiscussed yethesitatetoofferlestitseemridiculoustoyou,Arkad,
andmygoodfriendshere."
Upon being urged to offer it, both by Arkad and by calls from the others,he continued:"This
dayIhavebeenlucky,forIhavefoundapurseinwhichtherearepiecesofgold.Tocontinueto
be lucky is my great desire. Feeling that all men share with me this desire, I do suggest we
debatehowtoattractgoodluckthatwemaydiscoverwaysitcanbeenticedtoone."
"A most interesting subject has been offered, Arkad commented, "one most worthy of our
discussion. To somemen, goodluck bespeaksbutachancehappening that,likeanaccident,
may befall one without purpose or reason. Others do believe that the instigator of all good
fortune is our most bounteous goddess, Ashtar, ever anxious to reward with generous gifts
those who please her. Speak up, my friends, what say you, shall we seek to find if there be
meansbywhichgoodluckmaybeenticedtovisiteachandallofus?"
"Yea!Yea!Andmuchofit!"respondedthegrowinggroupofeagerlisteners.
ThereuponArkadcontinued,"Tostartourdiscussion,letusfirsthearfromthoseamonguswho
have enjoyed experiences similar to that of the cloth weaver in finding or receiving, without
effortupontheirpart,valuabletreasuresorjewels."
Therewasapauseinwhichalllookedaboutexpectingsomeonetoreplybutnoonedid.
"What, no one?" Arkad said, "then rare indeed must be this kind of good luck. Who now will
offerasuggestionastowhereweshallcontinueoursearch?"
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That I will do,"spoke awellrobed youngman, arising."Whenamanspeakethof luckisit not
natural that his thoughts turn to the gaining tables? Is itnot therewefind manymencourting
thefavorofthegoddessinhopeshewillblessthemwithrichwinnings?"
Asheresumedhisseatavoicecalled,"Donot stop!Continuethystory!Tellus,didstthoufind
favor with the goddess at thegaming tables? Didsheturnthecubeswithred sideup so thou
filled thy purse at the dealer's expense or did she permit the blue sides to come up so the
dealerrakedinthyhardearnedpiecesofsilver?"
The young man joined the goodnatured laughter, then replied, "I am not averse toadmitting
sheseemednottoknowIwaseventhere.Buthowabouttherestofyou?
Haveyoufoundherwaitingaboutsuchplacestorollthecubes,inyourfavor?Weareeagerto
hearaswellastolearn."
"A wise start,"brokeinArkad."Wemeet here toconsiderallsidesofeachquestion.Toignore

the gaming table would be to overlook an instinct common to most men, the love oftakinga
chancewithasmallamountofsilverinthehopeofwinningmuchgold."
"That doth remind me of the races but yesterday," calledout anotherlistener. "Ifthegoddess
frequentsthegamingtables,certainlyshedostnotoverlooktheraceswherethegildedchariots
and thefoaming horsesofferfar moreexcitement.Tellushonestly,Arkad,didstshewhisperto
you to place your bet upon those grey horses from Nineveh yesterday? I was standing just
behindtheeandcouldscarcebelievemyearswhen Iheardtheeplacethybetuponthegreys.
Thou knowest as well as anyofusthatnoteaminallAssyriacan beat ourbeloved bays ina
fairrace.
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"Didstthe goddesswhisper in thyeartobetupon thegreysbecauseatthelastturntheinside
blackwouldstumbleandsointerfere withourbaysthatthegreyswouldwintheraceandscore
anunearnedvictory?"
Arkad smiledindulgentlyatthebanter."What reason havewetofeel thegoodgoddesswould

take that much interest in any man's bet upon ahorserace?Tomesheis agoddessof love
and dignity whose pleasure it is to aid those who are in need and to reward those who are
deserving. I look to find her, not atthegaming tablesortheraceswhere men losemore gold
than they win but in other places where the doings of men are more worthwhile and more
worthyofreward.
"In tilling the soil,inhonesttrading,inallofman'soccupations, thereisopportunitytomake a

profit upon his efforts and his transactions. Perhaps not all the time will he be rewarded
because sometimes his judgment may be faulty and other times the winds and the weather
maydefeat hisefforts.Yet, ifhepersists,hemayusuallyexpecttorealize hisprofit.Thisisso
becausethechancesofprofitarealwaysinhisfavor.
"But, when a man playeth the games, the situation is reversed for the chances of profit are
alwaysagainsthimandalwaysinfavorofthegamekeeper.Thegameissoarrangedthatitwill
alwaysfavorthe keeper.Itishisbusinessatwhich heplanstomakealiberalprofitforhimself
fromthecoinsbetbytheplayers.Fewplayersrealizehowcertainarethegamekeeper'sprofits
andhowuncertainaretheirownchancestowin.
"For example, let us considerwagers placedupon thecube.Each time itis cast webetwhich
sidewillbeuppermost.Ifitbetheredsidethegamemasterpaystousfourtimesourbet.Butif
any other of the five sides come uppermost, we lose our bet. Thus the figures show that for
each cast we have five chances to lose, butbecause theredpaysfourforone,we have four
chancestowin.Inanight'splaythegamemastercanexpecttokeepforhisprofitonefifthofall
thecoins wagered. Can amanexpecttowinmore thanoccasionallyagainstoddssoarranged
thatheshouldloseonefifthofallhisbets?"
"Yetsomemendowinlargesumsattimes,"volunteeredoneofthelisteners.
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"Quiteso, they do,"Arkadcontinued."Realizingthis,thequestioncomestomewhethermoney
secured in such ways brings permanent value to those who are thus lucky. Among my
acquaintances are many of the successful men of Babylon, yet among them I am unable to
nameasingleonewhostartedhissuccessfromsuchasource.
"You who aregatheredheretonightknowmanymoreofoursubstantialcitizens.Tomeitwould

be of much interest tolearn howmanyof oursuccessful citizenscan creditthegaming tables
withtheirstarttosuccess.Supposeeachofyoutellofthoseyouknow.Whatsayyou?"
Aftera prolongedsilence,awag ventured,'Wouldstthy inquiryinclude thegamekeepers?""If

youthinkofnooneelse,"Arkadresponded.
"If not one of you can think of anyone else, then how about yourselves? Are there any
consistentwinnerswithuswhohesitatetoadvisesuchasourcefortheirincomes?"
His challenge was answered by a series of groans from the rear taken up and spread amid
muchlaughter..
"It would seem we are not seeking good luck in such places as the goddess frequents," he
continued. "Thereforeletusexploreotherfields.Wehavenotfounditinpickinguplostwallets.
Neither have we found it haunting the gaming tables.Astotheraces,Imustconfessto have
lostfarmorecoinstherethanIhaveeverwon.
"Now, suppose we consider our trades and businesses. Is it not natural if we conclude a
profitabletransactionto consideritnotgood luckbut ajustrewardforourefforts?Iaminclined
to think we may be overlooking the gifts of the goddess. Perhaps she really does assist us
whenwedonotappreciatehergenerosity.Whocansuggestfurtherdiscussion?"
Thereuponanelderlymerchantarose, smoothinghis genteel whiterobe."Withthypermission,

mosthonorable Arkadandmyfriends,I offer asuggestion.If,asyou havesaid,wetakecredit
to our own industry and ability for our business success, why not considerthesuccesseswe
almostenjoyedbutwhichescapedus,happeningswhichwouldhavebeenmostprofitable.
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Theywouldhavebeenrareexamplesofgoodluckiftheyhadactuallyhappened.Becausethey
werenot broughtto fulfillmentwecannotconsiderthemasour justrewards.Surelymanymen
herehavesuchexperiencestorelate."
"Here is a wiseapproach," Arkadapproved. "Who among youhavehadgoodluckwithin your

grasponlytoseeitescape?"
Many hands were raised, among them thatofthemerchant. Arkadmotionedtohimto speak.

"Asyousuggestedthisapproach,weshouldliketohearfirstfromyou."
"I will gladly relate a tale," heresumed,"thatdothillustrate howcloselyuntoaman goodluck

mayapproachandhowblindlyhemaypermitittoescape,muchtohislossandlaterregret.
"Manyyearsago, whenIwasa youngman, justmarriedandwellstartedtoearning,myfather

did come one day and urge most stronglythatIenterinaninvestment.Theson ofoneofhis
goodfriendshadtakennoticeofabarrentractoflandnotfarbeyondtheouterwallsofourcity.
Itlayhighabovethecanalwherenowatercouldreachit.
"The son of my father's friend devised a plan to purchase this land, build three large water
wheelsthat couldbeoperatedbyoxenandtherebyraisethelifegivingwaterstothefertilesoil.
Thisaccomplished,heplannedto divideintosmalltractsandselltotheresidentsofthecityfor
herbpatches.
"The sonofmyfather'sfriend didnotpossesssufficientgoldto completesuchanundertaking.

Likemyself,hewasayoungmanearningafairsum.Hisfather, likemine, wasamanoflarge
family and small means. He, therefore, decided to interest a group of men to enter the
enterprisewithhim.The groupwastocomprisetwelve,eachofwhommustbeamoneyearner
and agreetopay onetenthofhisearningsintotheenterpriseuntilthelandwasmadereadyfor
sale.Allwouldthensharejustlyintheprofitsinproportiontotheirinvestment."
'Thou, my son,' bespoke my father unto me, 'art now in thy young manhood. It is my deep
desire that thou begin the building of a valuable estate for myself that thou mayest become
respectedamongmen. Idesiretoseethouprofitfromaknowledgeofthethoughtlessmistakes
ofthyfather.'"'ThisdoImostardentlydesire,myfather,'Ireplied.
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" 'Then, this do I advise. Do what I shouldhavedoneatthyage.From thyearnings keepout
onetenth toputintofavorableinvestments. With thisonetenthofthyearningsandwhatitwill
alsoearn,thoucanst,beforethouartmyage,accumulateforthyselfavaluableestate.
' " 'Thy words are words of wisdom, my father.Greatly doIdesire riches. Yettherearemany
uses towhichmyearnings arecalled.Therefore,do Ihesitatetodoasthoudostadvise.Iam
young.Thereisplentyoftime.'
" 'So I thought at thy age, yet behold, many years have passed and Ihavenot yetmadethe
beginning.'
"'Weliveinadifferentage,myfather.Ishallavoidthymistakes.'
"'Opportunitystands before thee, myson.Itisoffering achancethatmayleadtowealth.Ibeg

ofthee,donotdelay.Goupon themorrowtothesonofmyfriend andbargainwithhimtopay
ten percent of thy earnings into this investment. Go promptly upon the morrow. Opportunity
waitsfornoman.Todayitisheresoonitisgone.Therefore,delaynot!'
"Inspiteof theadviceof myfather,Ididhesitate.Therewerebeautiful new robesjustbrought

bythetradesmenfromtheEast, robesofsuchrichnessandbeautymy goodwifeandIfeltwe
musteachpossessone.ShouldIagreetopayonetenthofmyearningsintotheenterprise,we
must deprive ourselves of these and other pleasures we dearly desired. I delayed making a
decision until it was too late, much to my subsequent regret. The enterprise did prove to be
more profitable than anymanhadprophesied. Thisismy tale,showinghowIdidpermitgood
lucktoescape."
"In this tale we see how good luck waits to come to that man who accepts opportunity,"
commenteda swarthymanofthedesert."Tothebuildingofanestatetheremustalwaysbethe
beginning. That start may be a few pieces of gold or silver which a man diverts from his
earningsto hisfirstinvestment. I,myself,am theowner of manyherds. ThestartofmyherdsI
didbegin whenIwasa mereboy anddidpurchase withonepieceofsilverayoungcalf.This,
beingthebeginningofmywealth,wasofgreatimportancetome.
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"To take his first start to building an estate is as good luck as cancome toanyman.Withall
men,thatfirststep, whichchangesthemfrommenwhoearnfromtheir own labor to menwho
draw dividends from the earnings of their gold, is important. Some, fortunately, take it when
young andthereby outstripin financialsuccessthosewhodotakeit laterorthoseunfortunate
men,likethefatherofthismerchant,whonevertakeit.
"Hadourfriend,themerchant, takenthisstepinhisearlymanhoodwhenthisopportunitycame
to him, this day he would be blessed with much more of thisworld'sgoods.Should thegood
luckof ourfriend,theclothweaver, causehimtotake such astepatthistime,itwillindeedbe
butthebeginningofmuchgreatergoodfortune."
"Thank you! Iliketospeak,also."Astrangerfromanothercountryarose."IamaSyrian.Notso

well doIspeak your tongue.Iwishtocall thisfriend,themerchant,aname.Maybeyouthinkit
notpolite,this name.YetIwishtocallhimthat.But,alas,Inotknowyourwordforit.IfIdocall
itinSyrian,youwillnot understand.Therefore,pleasesomegoodgentlemen,tellmethatright
nameyoucallmanwhoputsoffdoingthosethingsthatmightygoodforhim."
"Procrastinator,"calledavoice.
"That'shim,"shouted theSyrian,wavinghishandsexcitedly,"heacceptsnotopportunitywhen
she comes. He waits. He says I have much business right now. Bye and bye I talk to you.
Opportunity,shewillnotwaitforsuchslowfellow.Shethinksifamandesirestobeluckyhewill
step quick. Any man not step quick when opportunity comes, he big procrastinator like our
friend,thismerchant."
The merchantaroseandbowedgoodnaturedlyinresponseto thelaughter."Myadmirationto

thee,strangerwithinourgates,whohesitatesnottospeakthetruth."
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"And now let us hear another tale of opportunity. Who has for us another experience?"
demandedArkad.
"I have," responded a redrobed man of middle age. "Iamabuyerofanimals,mostly camels

and horses.SometimesIdoalsobuythesheepandgoats.ThetaleIamabouttorelatewilltell
truthfully how opportunity came one night when I did least expect it.PerhapsforthisreasonI
didletitescape.Ofthisyoushallbethejudge.
"Returningtothecityoneeveningafteradishearteningtendays'journeyinsearchofcamels,I
wasmuchangeredto findthe gatesofthecity closed andlocked.Whilemyslavesspreadour
tent forthenight, whichwelookedtospendwithlittlefoodandnoIwater,Iwasapproachedby
anelderlyfarmerwho,likeourselves,foundhimselflockedoutside.
"'Honored sir,' he addressedme,'fromthyappearance,Idojudgetheetobeabuyer.Ifthisbe

so, much would I like toselltotheethe most excellent flock ofsheepjust drivenup. Alas,my
goodwifeliesverysickwiththefever.Imustreturnwithallhaste.BuythoumysheepthatIand
myslavesmaymountourcamelsandtravelbackwithoutdelay."
"Sodarkit wasthatIcould notsee hisflock,but from thebleatingI didknowitmustbelarge.

Havingwastedten days searchingforcamelsIcouldnotfind,Iwasgladtobargainwithhim.In
hisanxiety, hedidsetamostreasonableprice.Iaccepted,wellknowingmyslavescoulddrive
theflockthroughthecitygatesinthemorningandsellatasubstantialprofit.
The bargainconcluded,Icalled myslavesto bringtorchesthat wemightcounttheflockwhich

the farmer declared to contain nine hundred. I shall not burden you, my friends, with a
description of our difficulty in attempting to count so many thirsty, restless, milling sheep. It
provedtobeanimpossible task.Therefore,I bluntly informedthefarmerIwouldcountthemat
daylightandpayhimthen.
"'Please,mosthonorable sir,' he pleaded, 'paymebuttwothirdsofthepricetonightthatImay

beonmy way. Iwillleavemymostintelligentandeducatedslavetoassisttomakethecountin
themorning.Heistrustworthyandtohimthoucanstpaythebalance.
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' "But I was stubborn and refused to makepaymentthat night.Nextmorning,beforeIawoke,

the city gates opened and four buyers rushed out in search of flocks. They were mosteager
and willing to pay high prices because the city was threatened with siege, and food was not
plentiful. Nearly threetimesthe price at whichhehadofferedtheflocktomedidtheoldfarmer
receiveforit.Thuswasraregoodluckallowedtoescape."
"Hereisatalemostunusual,"commentedArkad."Whatwisdomdothitsuggest?"
"The wisdom of making a payment immediately when we are convincedour bargainis wise,"
suggested a venerable saddle maker. "If the bargain be good,thendostthouneedprotection
against thy ownweaknessesasmuchasagainstanyotherman. Wemortalsare changeable.
Alas,Imust saymoreapttochangeourmindswhenrightthanwrong.Wrong,wearestubborn
indeed. Right, we are prone to vacillate and let opportunity escape. My first judgment is my
best.Yet always haveIfound itdifficulttocompelmyselftoproceedwithagoodbargainwhen
made. Therefore, as a protection against my own weaknesses, I do make a prompt deposit
thereon.Thisdothsavemefromlaterregretsforthegoodluckthatshouldhavebeenmine."
"Thank you! AgainIliketospeak."TheSyrianwasuponhisfeetoncemore."Thesetalesmuch

alike. Each time opportunity fly away for samereason. Eachtime shecome to procrastinator,
bringing good plan.Eachtimetheyhesitate,notsay,rightnowbesttime,Idoitquick.Howcan
mensucceedthatway?"
"Wise are thy words, my friend," responded thebuyer. "Goodluckfledfromprocrastinationin

both these tales. Yet, this is not unusual. The spirit of procrastination is within all men. We
desire riches yet, how often when opportunity doth appear before us, that spirit of
procrastinationfromwithindothurgevariousdelaysinouracceptance.
Inlisteningtoitwedobecomeourownworstenemies."InmyyoungerdaysIdidnotknowitby
this longword ourfriendfromSyria doth enjoy.I didthinkatfirstitwasmyownpoorjudgment
that didcausemelossofmanyprofitabletrades.Later,Ididcreditittomystubborndisposition.
At last, I did recognize it for what it wasa habit of needless delaying where action was
required, action prompt anddecisive.HowIdid hate itwhenitstruecharacterstood revealed.
With the bitterness of a wild ass hitchedtoachariot,Idid breakloose from thisenemytomy
success."
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"Thank you! I like ask question from Mr.Merchant."TheSyrianwas speaking."You wearfine
robes, not like those of poor man. You speak like successful man. Tell us, doyoulisten now
whenprocrastinationwhispersinyourear?"
"Likeourfriend thebuyer,Ialsohad torecognize andconquerprocrastination,"respondedthe

merchant. "To me, it proved to be an enemy, ever watching and waiting to thwart my
accomplishments.The taleI didrelateisbutoneofmanysimilarinstancesI couldtelltoshow
how it drove away my opportunities. Tis not difficult to conquer, once understood. No man
willinglypermitsthethieftorobhisbinsofgrain.Nordoesanymanwillinglypermitanenemyto
driveawayhis customersandrobhimofhisprofits.When onceIdidrecognize thatsuchacts
as these my enemy was committing, withdeterminationI conqueredhim.Somust everyman
master his own spirit of procrastination before he can expect to shareintherichtreasuresof
Babylon.
"What sayest, Arkad? Becausethouarttherichestman inBabylon,many doproclaim thee to

betheluckiest.Dostagree withmethatnomancanarriveatafullmeasureofsuccessuntilhe
hathcompletelycrushedthespiritofprocrastinationwithinhim?"
"It is even as thou sayest," Arkad admitted. "During my long life I have watched generation
followinggeneration,marchingforwardalong thoseavenuesoftrade,scienceandlearningthat
lead to success in life. Opportunities cameto all thesemen.Somegraspedtheirsand moved
steadily to the gratification oftheirdeepestdesires,but themajority hesitated,falteredandfell
behind."
Arkad turned to the cloth weaver. Thou didst suggest that we debate good luck. Let us hear
whatthounowthinkestuponthesubject."
"Idoseegoodluckinadifferentlight.Ihadthoughtofitassomethingmostdesirablethatmight
happen to a man without effort upon his part. Now, I do realize such happenings are notthe
sort ofthing onemayattractto himself.FromourdiscussionhaveIlearnedthattoattractgood
luck to oneself, it is necessary to take advantage of opportunities. Therefore, in the future, I
shallendeavortomakethebestofsuchopportunitiesasdocometome."
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"Thou hast well graspedthe truthsbrought forth inour discussion," Arkadreplied."Goodluck,
we do find, often follows opportunity but seldomcomesotherwise.Ourmerchantfriend would
have found great good luckhadhe accepted theopportunitythegoodgoddessdidpresent to
him. Our friend the buyer, likewise, would have enjoyed good luck had he completed the
purchaseoftheflockandsoldatsuchahandsomeprofit.
"Wedidpursuethisdiscussiontofindameansbywhichgoodluckcouldbeenticedtous.Ifeel
that we have found the way. Both the tales did illustrate how good luck follows opportunity.
Hereinliesatruththat manysimilartalesofgoodluck,wonorlost,couldnotchange.Thetruth
isthis:Goodluckcanbeenticedbyacceptingopportunity.
"Those eager to grasp opportunities for their betterment, do attract the interest of the good
goddess.Sheiseveranxioustoaidthosewhopleaseher.Menofactionpleaseherbest.
"Actionwillleadtheeforwardtothesuccessesthoudostdesire."
MENOFACTIONAREFAVOREDBYTHEGODDESSOFGOODLUCK
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The Five Laws of Gold
"A bag heavy with gold oraclay tabletcarvedwithwords ofwisdomif thouhadstthychoice,

whichwouldstthouchoose?"
By the flickering light from the fire of desert shrubs, the suntanned faces of the listeners
gleamedwithinterest.
"Thegold,thegold,"chorusedthetwentyseven.
OldKalababsmiledknowingly.
"Hark,"heresumed, raisinghis hand."Hearthe wilddogsoutthereinthenight.Theyhowland

wailbecausetheyareleanwithhunger.Yetfeedthem,andwhatdothey?Fightandstrut.Then
fightandstrutsomemore,givingnothoughttothemorrowthatwillsurelycome.
"Justsoitiswiththesonsofmen.Givethem achoiceofgold andwisdomwhatdotheydo?

Ignore the wisdom and waste the gold. On the morrow theywailbecause theyhave no more
gold.
"Goldisreservedforthosewhoknowitslawsandabidebythem."
Kalababdrewhiswhiterobecloseabouthisleanlegs,foracoolnightwindwasblowing.
"Becausethou hast served mefaithfully upon ourlongjourney,becausethoucaredwellformy

camels,becausethoutoileduncomplainingly acrossthehotsandsof thedesert,becausethou
fought bravely therobbers thatsoughttodespoilmy merchandise, Iwilltelltheethisnightthe
taleofthefivelawsofgold,suchataleasthouneverhastheardbefore.
"Hark ye, with deep attention to the words I speak, for if you grasp their meaning and heed
them,inthedaysthatcomethoushalthavemuchgold."
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Hepausedimpressively.Aboveinacanopy ofblue,thestarsshonebrightlyinthecrystalclear
skies of Babylonia. Behind the group loomed their faded tents tightly staked against possible
desert storms. Beside thetents were neatlystacked balesofmerchandise coveredwithskins.
Nearby the camel herd sprawled in the sand, some chewing their cuds contentedly, others
snoringinhoarsediscord.
"Thou hast told us many good tales, Kalabab," spoke up the chief packer. "We look to thy
wisdomtoguideusuponthemorrowwhenourservicewiththeeshallbeatanend."
"Ihavebuttoldtheeofmyadventuresinstrangeanddistantlands,butthisnightIshalltellthee
ofthewisdomofArkad,thewiserichman."
"Muchhave weheardofhim,"acknowledgedthe chiefpacker,"forhewastherichestmanthat
everlivedinBabylon."
"The richest man he was, andthatbecause be was wise inthe waysof gold,evenasnoman
had ever been before him.ThisnightshallI tellyou ofhisgreatwisdomasitwastoldtomeby
Nomasir,hisson,manyyearsagoinNineveh,whenIwasbutalad.
"MymasterandmyselfhadtarriedlongintothenightinthepalaceofNomasir.Ihadhelpedmy
master bring great bundles of fine rugs, each one to be tried by Nomasir until his choice of
colors wassatisfied.Atlasthewaswellpleasedandcommandedustositwithhimandtodrink
a rare vintage odorous to the nostrils and most warming to my stomach, which was
unaccustomedtosuchadrink.
"Then, did he tell us this tale of the greatwisdomofArkad,hisfather,evenasIshalltell itto

you.
"InBabylonitisthecustom,asyouknow,thatthesonsofwealthyfatherslivewiththeirparents
in expectation of inheriting the estate. Arkad did not approve of thiscustom. Therefore,when
Nomasirreachedman'sestate,hesentfortheyoungmanandaddressedhim:
" 'My son,itismydesirethatthou succeedtomy estate. Thoumust,however,firstprovethat

thouartcapable ofwiselyhandlingit.Therefore,Iwishthatthougooutintotheworldandshow
thyabilitybothtoacquiregoldandtomakethyselfrespectedamongmen.
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"'Tostarttheewell,IwillgivetheetwothingsofwhichI,myself,wasdeniedwhenIstartedasa
pooryouthtobuildupafortune.
"'First,Igivetheethisbagofgold.Ifthouuseitwisely,itwillbethebasisofthyfuturesuccess.
"'Second,I givetheethisclay tabletuponwhichiscarvedthefivelawsofgold.Ifthoudostbut

interprettheminthyownacts,theyshallbringtheecompetenceandsecurity.
"'Tenyearsfromthisdaycomethoubacktothehouseofthyfatherandgiveaccountofthyself.
If thou proveworthy,Iwillthen maketheetheheirtomyestate.Otherwise,Iwill giveittothe
prieststhattheymaybarterformysoulthelandconsiderationofthegods.'
"So Nomasir went forth to make his own way, taking his bag of gold,theclaytabletcarefully
wrappedinsilkencloth,hisslaveandthehorsesuponwhichtheyrode.
"The tenyearspassed,andNomasir,ashehadagreed,returnedtothehouseofhisfatherwho
provided a great feast in his honor, to which he invited many friends and relatives. After the
feast was over, the father and mother mounted their thronelikeseats atonesideof thegreat
hall, and Nomasir stood before them to give an account of himself as he had promised his
father.
It was evening. The room was hazy with smoke from thewicksofthe oil lampsthatbutdimly
lighted it. Slaves in white woven jackets and tunics fanned the humid air rhythmically with
longstemmedpalmleaves.Astatelydignitycoloredthescene.ThewifeofNomasirandhistwo
young sons, with friends and other members of the family, sat upon rugs behind him, eager
listeners.
" 'My father,' he began deferentially, I bowbeforethywisdom.Ten yearsago whenIstood at

the gates of manhood, thou bade me go forth and become a man among men, instead of
remainingavassaltothyfortune.
"'Thougavemeliberallyof thygold.Thougave meliberallyofthywisdom.Ofthegold,alas!I

must admit of a disastrous handling. It fled, indeed, from my inexperienced hands even as a
wildharefleesatthefirstopportunityfromtheyouthwhocapturesit.'
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"Thefathersmiledindulgently.'Continue,myson,thytaleinterestsmeinallitsdetails.'
" 'I decided to go to Nineveh, as it was a growing city, believing that I might find there
opportunities. I joined a caravan and among its members made numerous friends. Two
wellspokenmenwhohadamostbeautifulwhitehorseasfleetasthewindwereamongthese.
"'Aswejourneyed,theytoldmeinconfidencethatinNinevehwasawealthymanwhoowneda
horse so swift that it hadneverbeenbeaten.Itsownerbelieved thatnohorselivingcouldrun
with greater speed. Therefore, would he wager any sum however large that his horse could
outspeedany horseinallBabylonia.Comparedtotheirhorse, so myfriendssaid,it wasbuta
lumberingassthatcouldbebeatenwithease.
"'Theyoffered,asagreatfavor, topermitme tojointheminawager.Iwasquitecarriedaway

withtheplan.
" 'Our horse was badly beaten and I lost much of my gold.' The father laughed. 'Later, I
discovered that this was a deceitful plan of these men and they constantly journeyed with
caravansseekingvictims. You see,themaninNinevehwastheirpartnerandsharedwiththem
thebetshewon.Thisshrewddeceittaughtmemyfirstlessoninlookingoutformyself.
"'Iwas soonto learnanother,equallybitter.Inthecaravanwasanotheryoungmanwithwhom

I became quite friendly. He was the son of wealthy parents and, like myself, journeying to
Nineveh to find a suitable location. Not long after our arrival, he toldme thata merchanthad
died and his shop with its richmerchandiseand patronagecouldbesecuredatapaltryprice.
Saying that wewould be equalpartners butfirst he mustreturntoBabylonto secure hisgold,
heprevaileduponmetopurchasethestockwithmygold,agreeingthathiswouldbeusedlater
tocarryonourventure.
" 'He long delayed the trip to Babylon, proving in the meantime to be anunwise buyerand a
foolishspender. Ifinally puthimout,but notbefore thebusinesshad deterioratedtowherewe
had only unsalable goods and no gold to buy other goods. I sacrificed what was left to an
Israeliteforapitifulsum.
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" 'Soon there followed,Itell you, myfather, bitterdays.I sought employmentand foundit not,
for I was without trade or training that would enable me to earn. I sold my horses. I sold my
slave. IsoldmyextrarobesthatImighthavefoodandaplacetosleep,buteachdaygrimwant
crouchedcloser.
"'Butinthosebitter days,Irememberedthyconfidencein me,my father. Thouhadstsentme

forth to become a man,and thisI wasdeterminedtoaccomplish.'Themotherburied herface
and wept softly. " 'At this time, I bethought me of the table thou had giventomeuponwhich
thou had carved the five laws of gold. Thereupon, I read mostcarefully thywords ofwisdom,
andrealizedthathadIbutsoughtwisdomfirst,mygoldwouldnothavebeenlosttome.
Ilearned by hearteachlawanddeterminedthat,whenoncemorethegoddessofgoodfortune
smileduponme,Iwouldbeguidedbythewisdomofageandnotbytheinexperienceofyouth.
" 'For the benefit ofyouwhoareseatedherethis night,Iwill read thewisdomofmy fatheras

engravedupontheclaytabletwhichhegavetometenyearsago:
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THE FIVE LAWS OF GOLD
I. Gold comethgladlyandinincreasingquantityto anymanwhowillputbynotlessthan

onetenthofhisearngstocreateanestateforhisfutureandthatofhisfamily.
II. Gold laboreth diligently and contentedly for the wise ownerwhofindsforitprofitable
employment,multiplyingevenastheflocksofthefield.
III.Goldclingethtotheprotectionofthecautiousownerwhoinvestsitundertheadviceof
menwiseinitshandling.
IV.Goldslippeth awayfromthemanwhoinvestsitinbusinessesorpurposeswithwhich
heisnotfamiliarorwhicharenotapprovedbythoseskilledinitskeep.
V. Gold flees the man who would force it to impossible earnings or who followeth the
alluring advice of tricksters and schemers or who trusts it to his own inexperience and
romanticdesiresininvestment.
"'Thesearethefivelawsofgoldaswrittenbymyfather.Idoproclaimthemasofgreatervalue
thangolditself,asIwillshowbythecontinuanceofmytale.'
"He again faced his father. 'I have told thee of the depth of poverty and despair towhich my
inexperiencebroughtme.
" 'However, there is no chain of disasters that will not come to an end. Mine came when I
securedemploymentmanagingacrewofslavesworkinguponthenewouterwallofthecity."
'Profiting from my knowledge of the first law of gold, I saved acopperfrommy firstearnings,
adding to it at every opportunity until I had a piece of silver.Itwasaslowprocedure,forone
mustlive.Ididspendgrudgingly,Iadmit,becauseIwasdeterminedtoearnbackbeforetheten
yearswereoverasmuchgoldasyou,myfather,hadgiventome.
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" 'One day the slave master, with whom I had become quite friendly, said tome:"Thouarta
thrifty youth who spends not want only what he earns. Hast thou gold put by that is not
earning?""
'Yes,'Ireplied,'Itismygreatestdesiretoaccumulategoldtoreplacethatwhichmyfathergave
tomeandwhichIhavelost.'
"'Tisa worthy ambition, Iwillgrant, anddoyouknowthatthegoldwhichyouhave savedcan

workforyouandearnmuchmoregold?"
"'Alas!myexperiencehas beenbitter,for myfather's goldhasfledfromme,andIaminmuch

fearlestmyowndothesame.'
" 'If thou hast confidence in me,I willgive thee alessonintheprofitablehandlingofgold,"he

replied. "Within a year the outer wall willbecompleteandreadyfor thegreatgates ofbronze
thatwillbebuiltateachentrancetoprotectthecityfromtheking'senemies.
In all Nineveh there is not enoughmetaltomake thesegates andthe kinghasnotthought to

provideit.Hereismyplan:Agroup ofuswillpoolourgoldandsendacaravantotheminesof
copperand tin,which aredistant,andbringtoNinevehthemetalforthe gates.Whentheking
says,'Make thegreatgates,' wealonecansupply themetalanda richpricehe willpay.Ifthe
kingwillnotbuyfromus,wewillyethavethemetalwhichcanbesoldforafairprice."
"'In hisofferIrecognizedanopportunityto abidebythe thirdlawandinvestmysavingsunder

theguidanceofwisemen.NorwasIdisappointed.Ourpoolwasasuccess,andmysmallstore
ofgoldwasgreatlyincreasedbythetransaction.
" 'In due time, I was accepted as a member of this samegroupin otherventures.Theywere
men wise in the profitable handling of gold. They talked over each plan presented with great
care,beforeentering upon it. They wouldtakenochanceon losingtheirprincipal or tyingitup
inunprofitableinvestmentsfromwhichtheirgoldcouldnotberecovered.Suchfoolishthingsas
the horse race and the partnership intowhichIhadenteredwithmyinexperiencewouldhave
had scant consideration with them. They would have immediately pointed out their
weaknesses.
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" 'Through my association with these men, I learned to safely invest gold to bring profitable
returns. As the years wenton,mytreasure increasedmoreandmorerapidly.I notonlymade
backasmuchasIlost,butmuchmore.
"'Throughmy misfortunes,mytrials andmy success,Ihavetestedtimeandagainthewisdom

of the five laws of gold, my father, and have proven them true in every test. To him who is
without knowledge of the five laws, gold comes notoften,andgoeth awayquickly.But to him
whoabidebythefivelaws,goldcomesandworksashisdutifulslave.'
"Nomasir ceased speaking and motioned to a slave in the back of the room. The slave
broughtforward,oneatatime,threeheavyleatherbags.OneoftheseNomasirtookandplaced
uponthefloorbeforehisfatheraddressinghimagain:
" 'Thou didst give to me a bagofgold,Babylongold.Beholdin its place,I do returntotheea

bagofNinevehgoldofequalweightAnequalexchange,asallwillagree.
"'Thoudidstgiveto meaclaytabletinscribedwithwisdom.Behold,initsstead,Idoreturntwo
bagsofgold.'Sosaying,hetookfromthe slavetheothertwobagsand,likewise,placedthem
uponthefloorbeforehisfather.
" 'This Idotoprovetothee,my father,ofhowmuchgreater valueIconsiderthywisdom than

thygold.Yet,whocan measureinbagsofgold,the valueofwisdom?Withoutwisdom,goldis
quickly lost by those who have it,butwithwisdom, goldcanbesecured by thosewhohaveit
not,asthesethreebagsofgolddoprove.
" 'Itdoes, indeed,give to methedeepestsatisfaction,myfather,tostandbeforetheeandsay

that,becauseofthywisdom,Ihavebeenabletobecomerichandrespectedbeforemen.'
"The father placed his hand fondly upon the head of Nomasir. 'Thou hast learned well thy
lessons,andIam,indeed,fortunatetohaveasontowhomImayentrustmywealth.'
"Kalababceasedhistaleandlookedcriticallyathislisteners.
"Whatmeansthistothee,thistaleofNomasir?"hecontinued.
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"Whoamongstthee cangotothy fatherortothefatherofthywifeandgiveanaccountofwise

handlingofhisearnings?
"What would these venerable men think were you to say: 'I have traveled much and learned
much and labored muchandearnedmuch,yet alas, ofgoldI have little. SomeI spentwisely,
someIspentfoolishlyandmuchIlostinunwiseways.'
"Doststillthink itbutan inconsistencyoffatethat somemenhavemuchgoldandothershave

naught?Thenyouerr.
"Menhavemuchgoldwhentheyknowthefivelawsofgoldandabidethereby.
"BecauseIlearnedthesefivelawsinmyyouthandabidedbythem,Ihavebecomeawealthy
merchant.NotbysomestrangemagicdidIaccumulatemywealth.
"Wealththatcomesquicklygoeththesameway.
"Wealththatstayethtogiveenjoymentandsatisfactiontoitsownercomesgradually,becauseit
isachildbornofknowledgeandpersistentpurpose.
"Toearnwealthis butaslightburdenuponthethoughtfulman.Bearingtheburdenconsistently
fromyeartoyearaccomplishesthefinalpurpose.
"The fivelawsofgoldofferto thee arich rewardfortheirobservance."Eachofthesefivelaws

is rich with meaning and lest thou overlook this in the briefness of my tale, I will now repeat
them.I doknowthemeachbyheartbecauseinmyyouth,Icouldseetheirvalueandwouldnot
becontentuntilIknewthemwordforword.
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The First Law of Gold

Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity toany man whowillputbynot lessthan
onetenthofhisearningstocreateanestateforhisfutureandthatofhisfamily.
"Any man who will put byonetenthofhisearningsconsistentlyandinvest itwiselywillsurely

create avaluableestate thatwill provideanincomeforhiminthefuture andfurtherguarantee
safety forhisfamily incase thegodscall himtotheworld of darkness.Thislawalwayssayeth
that gold cometh gladly to such a man. I can truly certify this in myownlife.ThemoregoldI
accumulate,the morereadilyitcomestomeandinincreasedquantities.ThegoldwhichIsave
earns more, even as yours will, and itsearnings earn more,andthisisthe workingoutofthe
firstlaw."
The Second Law of Gold
Gold laboreth diligently and contentedly for the wise owner who finds for it profitable
employment,multiplyingevenastheflocksofthefield.
"Gold, indeed, is a willing worker. It is evereager tomultiply whenopportunitypresentsitself.

Toevery man whohathastoreofgoldsetby,opportunitycomesforitsmostprofitableuse.As
theyearspass,itmultipliesitselfinsurprisingfashion."
The Third Law of Gold
Gold clingeth to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men
wiseinitshandling.
"Gold,indeed,clingethtothecautiousowner,evenasitfleesthecarelessowner.Themanwho
seeks theadviceof men wise inhandlinggoldsoonlearnethnottojeopardizehistreasure,but
topreserveinsafetyandtoenjoyincontentmentitsconsistentincrease."
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The Fourth Law of Gold
Goldslippethawayfromthemanwhoinvestsit inbusinessesorpurposeswithwhichheisnot
familiarorwhicharenotapprovedbythoseskilledinitskeep.
To the man who hath gold, yet is not skilled in its handling, many uses for it appear most
profitable. Too often these are fraught with danger of loss, and if properly analyzed by wise
men, show small possibility ofprofit.Therefore,theinexperienced ownerofgoldwho truststo
hisownjudgmentandinvestsitinbusinessorpurposeswithwhichheisnotfamiliar,toooften
findshisjudgmentimperfect,andpayswithhistreasureforhisinexperience.Wise,indeedishe
whoinvestethhistreasuresundertheadviceofmenskilledInthewaysofgold."
The Fifth Law of Gold
Gold flees the man who would force it to impossible earnings or who followeth the alluring
adviceof tricksters andschemers or whotrustsittohisowninexperienceandromanticdesires
ininvestment.
"Fanciful propositions that thrill like adventure tales always come to the new owner of gold.
These appear to endow his treasure with magicpowersthat willenableit tomakeimpossible
earnings.Yet heed yethewisemenforverilytheyknowtherisksthatlurkbehindeveryplanto
makegreatwealthsuddenly.
"Forgetnotthe richmenofNineveh whowouldtakenochanceoflosingtheirprincipalortying

itup inunprofitableinvestments."Thisendsmytaleofthefivelawsofgold.Intellingittothee,I
havetoldthesecretsofmyownsuccess.
"Yet, they are not secrets but truths which every man must first learn and then follow who
wishestostepoutofthemultitudethat,likeyouwilddogs,mustworryeachdayforfoodtoeat.
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"Tomorrow, we enter Babylon. Look! See the fire that burnseternalabovetheTemple ofBel!
Wearealreadyinsightofthegoldencity.
Tomorrow, each of thee shall have gold, the gold thou has so well earned by thy faithful
services.
"Tenyearsfromthisnight,whatcanyoutellaboutthisgold?
"If there be men among you, who, like Nomasir, will use a portion of their gold to start for
themselvesanestateandbe thenceforthwiselyguidedbythewisdomofArkad,tenyearsfrom
now,'tisasafewager,likethesonofArkad,theywillberichandrespectedamongmen.
"Our wise acts accompany us through life to please us and to help us. Just as surely, our
unwiseactsfollowustoplagueandtormentus.Alas,theycannotbeforgotten.Inthefrontrank
of the torments that do follow us are the memories ofthe thingswe should have done,ofthe
opportunitieswhichcametousandwetooknot.
"Richarethe treasuresofBabylon,sorichnomancancounttheirvalueinpiecesofgold.Each
year,theygrowricher andmorevaluable.Likethetreasuresofeveryland,theyareareward,a
richrewardawaitingthosemenofpurposewhodeterminetosecuretheirjustshare.
"Inthestrength of thine own desires isamagic power. Guidethispowerwiththyknowledgeof

thefivelawsofgoldandthoushallsharethetreasuresofBabylon."
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The Gold Lender of Babylon
Fiftypieces of gold! NeverbeforehadRodan,thespearmaker ofold Babylon,carriedsomuch

gold in his leather wallet. Happily down the king's highwayfromthepalace of hismostliberal
Majesty he strode. Cheerfully the gold clinked as the wallet at his belt swayed with each
stepthesweetestmusichehadeverheard.
Fifty pieces of gold! All his! He could hardly realize his good fortune. What power in those
clinking discs! They could purchase anything he wanted, a grandhouse,land,cattle, camels,
horses,chariots,whateverhemightdesire.
Whatuseshouldhemakeofit?Thisevening as he turnedintoasidestreettowardsthehome
of his sister, he could think of nothing he would rather possess than those same glittering,
heavypiecesofgoldhistokeep.
It was upon an evening somedays laterthata perplexedRodanenteredthe shopof Mathon,

thelenderofgoldanddealerinjewelsandrarefabrics.Glancingneithertotherightnortheleft
at the colorful articles artfully displayed, he passed through to the living quarters at the rear.
Here he found thegenteelMathon lounginguponarugpartaking ofamealservedbya black
slave.
"I would counsel with thee for I know not what to do." Rodan stood stolidly, feet apart, hairy
breastexposedbythegapingfrontofhisleatherjacket.
Mathon's narrow,sallowfacesmiledafriendlygreeting."Whatindiscretionshastthoudonethat
thou shouldst seek the lender of gold?Hastbeenunlucky atthegamingtable? Orhath some
plump dame entangled thee? For many years have I known thee,yetnever hastthousought
metoaidtheeinthytroubles."
"No,no.Notsuchasthat.Iseeknogold.InsteadIcravethywiseadvice."
"Hear! Hear! What this man doth say.No onecomestothelenderofgoldforadvice.Myears

mustplaymefalse."
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"Theylistentrue."
"Can this be so? Rodan, the spearmaker, doth display more cunning than all the rest, forhe
comes to Mathon, not for gold, but for advice. Manymencometome forgold topayfortheir
follies,butasforadvice,theywantitnot.Yetwhoismoreabletoadvisethanthelenderofgold
towhommanymencomeintrouble?
"Thoushalteat withme,Rodan,"hecontinued.Thoushaltbemyguestfortheevening.Andol"
he commanded of the blackslave, "draw uparagformyfriend,Rodan,the spearmaker,who
comesforadvice.Heshall be minehonoredguest.Bringtohimmuchfoodandgetforhimmy
largestcup.Choosewellofthebestwinethathemayhavesatisfactioninthedrinking.
"Now,tellmewhattroublesthee."
"Itistheking'sgift."
"Theking'sgift?Thekingdidmaketheeagiftanditgivestheetrouble?Whatmannerofgift?"
"Because he was much pleased with the design I did submit to him for a new point on the
spears of the royal guard, he did present me with fifty pieces of gold, and now I am much
perplexed.
"Iam beseechedeach hour thesundothtravelacrosstheskybythosewhowouldshareitwith

me."
"Thatis natural.Moremenwantgoldthanhaveit,and wouldwishonewho comes byiteasily

todivide.Butcanyounotsay"No?"Isthywillnotasstrongasthyfist?"
"To many I cansayno,yet sometimesitwould be easiertosay yes. Canonerefuse to share

withone'ssistertowhomheisdeeplydevoted?"
"Surely,thyownsisterwouldnotwishtodeprivetheeofenjoyingthyreward."
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"But it is forthesakeofAraman,herhusband,whomshe wishes toseea richmerchant. She

doesfeel thathehasnever hada chanceand shebeseechesmetoloantohimthisgoldthat
hemaybecomeaprosperousmerchantandrepaymefromhisprofits."
"Myfriend,"resumedMathon,"'tisaworthysubjectthoubringesttodiscuss.Goldbringethunto
its possessor responsibilityandachangedposition withhis fellowmen.Itbringeth fearlesthe
lose it or it be tricked away from him. It bringeth a feeling of power and ability to do good.
Likewise, it bringeth opportunities whereby his very good intentions may bring him into
difficulties.
"DidsteverhearofthefarmerofNinevehwhocouldunderstandthelanguageofanimals?Iwot
not, for'tis notthekindoftale menliketo telloverthebronzecaster'sforge.Iwilltellittothee
for thou shouldst know that to borrowing and lending there is more than the passing of gold
fromthehandsofonetothehandsofanother.
"Thisfarmer,whocouldunderstandwhatthe animalssaidto eachother,did lingerinthefarm

yard each evening just to listen to their words.One eveninghedid hear theoxbemoaningto
the ass the hardness ofhislot: 'Idolaborpullingtheplowfrommorninguntil night.Nomatter
howhottheday,orhowtiredmylegs,orhowthebowdothchafemyneck,stillmustIwork.But
you area creatureofleisure.Youaretrapped with acolorfulblanketanddonothingmorethan
carryour master aboutwherehewishestogo.Whenhegoesnowhereyoudorestandeatthe
greengrassalltheday.'
"Now the ass, in spite of his vicious heels, was a goodlyfellow andsympathized withtheox.
'My good friend, he replied,'you doworkveryhard andI wouldhelpeaseyourlot. Therefore,
will I tell you how you may have a day of rest. In themorning whentheslave comes tofetch
you totheplow,lieuponthe ground andbellowmuchthathemaysayyouaresickandcannot
work.'
"Sothe ox tooktheadviceoftheassandthenextmorningtheslavereturnedtothefarmerand
toldhimtheoxwassickandcouldnotpulltheplow.
"'Then,'saidthefarmer,"hitchtheasstotheplowfortheplowingmustgoon.'
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"All that day the ass, who had only intended tohelphisfriend,found himselfcompelledtodo
theox's task. Whennightcameand he wasreleasedfromtheplowhisheartwasbitterandhis
legswerewearyandhisneckwassorewherethebowhadchafedit.
"Thefarmerlingeredinthebarnyardtolisten.
"The oxbeganfirst.'Youaremygoodfriend.BecauseofyourwiseadviceIhaveenjoyedaday
ofrest.'
"'AndI,'retortedthe ass,'am likemanyanothersimpleheartedone whostartsto help afriend

and ends up by doing his task for him. Hereafter you draw your own plow, for I did hearthe
mastertellthe slavetosendforthebutcherwereyousickagain.Iwishhewould,foryouarea
lazy fellow.' Thereafter they spoke to each other no morethis endedtheirfriendship. Canst
thoutellthemoraltothistale,Rodan?"
"'Tisagoodtale,"respondedRodan,"butIseenotthemoral."
"I thought not that youwould.Butitis thereand simpletoo.Justthis: Ifyoudesire tohelpthy

friend,dosoinawaythatwillnotbringthyfriend'sburdensuponthyself."
"I had not thought of that. It is a wise moral. I wish not to assume theburdens of mysister's
husband.Buttellme.Youlendtomany.Donottheborrowersrepay?"
Mathonsmiledthe smileof onewhosesoulisrichwithmuchexperience."Couldaloanbewell

made if the borrower cannot repay? Must not the lender be wiseand judgecarefully whether
hisgoldcan performa usefulpurposeto theborrowerandreturntohimoncemoreorwhether
it will be wasted by one unable to use it wiselyandleavehimwithouthistreasure,andleave
theborrowerwitha debt he cannot repay? Iwillshowtotheethetokensinmytokenchestand
letthemtelltheesomeoftheirstories."
Into theroomhebrought achest as long as hisarm coveredwithredpigskinandornamented

withbronzedesigns.Heplacedituponthefloorandsquattedbeforeit,bothhandsuponthelid.
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"FromeachpersontowhomIlend,I do exacta tokenformytokenchest,toremainthereuntil

theloanisrepaid.When theyrepayIgiveback,butiftheyneverrepayitwillalwaysremindme
ofonewhowasnotfaithfultomyconfidence.
"The safest loans, my token box tells me, are to those whosepossessions areofmorevalue
thantheonetheydesire. Theyownlands,orjewels,orcamels, or otherthingswhichcouldbe
soldto repaytheloan. Someofthetokensgiven tomearejewelsofmorevaluethantheloan.
Others are promises that if the loan be not repaid as agreed they will deliver to me certain
property settlement. On loans like those I am assured that my gold will be returned with the
rentalthereon,fortheloanisbasedonproperty.
"Inanotherclassarethosewhohavethe capacitytoearn.Theyaresuchasyou,wholaboror
serveandarepaid. Theyhaveincomeandiftheyare honest andsuffer nomisfortune,Iknow
that they alsocanrepaythe gold Iloan themand therentaltowhichIamentitled.Suchloans
arebasedonhumaneffort.
"Others are those who have neither property nor assured earning capacity. Life is hard and
therewill always besomewhocannotadjust themselves toit.Alasforthe loansImake them,
even though they be no larger than a pence, my token box may censure me in the years to
comeunlesstheybeguaranteedbygoodfriendsoftheborrowerwhoknowhimhonorable."
Mathonreleasedtheclaspandopenedthelid.Rodanleanedforwardeagerly.
Atthetopofthechestabronzeneckpiecelayuponascarletcloth.Mathonpickedupthepiece
and patteditaffectionately."Thisshallalwaysremaininmytokenchestbecausetheownerhas
passed on into the great darkness. I treasure, it, his token, andI treasurehis memoryfor he
was my good friend. We tradedtogetherwith muchsuccess until outof theeasthebroughta
woman to wed, beautiful, but not like our women. A dazzling creature. He spent his gold
lavishlytogratifyherdesires. Hecametome indistresswhenhisgoldwasgone. Icounseled
withhim. Itold himIwouldhelphimtooncemoremasterhisownaffairs.Hesworebythesign
oftheGreat Bullthathewould.Butitwasnottobe.Inaquarrelshethrustaknifeintotheheart
hedaredhertopierce."
"Andshe?"questionedRodan.
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"Yes, of course, this was hers." He picked up the scarlet cloth. "In bitter remorse she threw
herself into the Euphrates. These two loans will never be repaid. Thechesttellsyou,Rodan,
thathumansinthethroesofgreatemotionsarenotsaferisksforthegoldlender.
"Here!Nowthisisdifferent."Hereachedforaringcarvedofoxbone."Thisbelongstoafarmer.
Ibuytherugsofhiswomen. Thelocusts cameand theyhadnotfood. Ihelpedhimandwhen
the new crop came he repaid me. Later he came again andtoldofstrange goatsin adistant
land as described by a traveler. They had long hair so fine and soft itwould weave intorugs
morebeautifulthananyeverseeninBabylon.Hewantedaherdbuthehadnomoney.SoIdid
lendhimgoldtomake thejourneyandbringbackgoats.NowhisherdisbegunandnextyearI
shallsurprise thelordsofBabylonwiththe mostexpensiverugsit hasbeentheirgoodfortune
tobuy.SoonImustreturnhisring.Hedothinsistonrepayingpromptly."
"Someborrowersdothat?'queriedRodan.
"If they borrow for purposes that bring money back to them, I find it so. But if they borrow
because of their indiscretions, I warn thee to be cautious if thou wouldst ever have thy gold
backinhandagain."
Tellmeaboutthis,requestedRodan,pickingupaheavygoldbraceletinsetwithjewelsinrare
designs.
"Thewomendoappealtomygoodfriend,"banteredMathon.
"Iamstillmuchyoungerthanyou,"retortedRodan.
"Igrantthat,butthistimethoudothsuspicionromancewhere itisnot. Theownerofthisisfat

and wrinkledanddothtalksomuchandsaysolittleshedrivesmemad. Oncetheyhadmuch
money and were good customers, but illtimescame uponthem.Shehas asonof whomshe
would make a merchant. So she came to me and borrowed gold that he might become a
partner of a caravan owner who travels with his camels bartering in one citywhat he buys in
another.
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"This man proved a rascal for he left thepoorboy inadistant citywithoutmoneyandwithout

friends,pullingoutearlywhiletheyouthslept.Perhapswhenthisyouthhasgrowntomanhood,
he will repay until then I get no rental forthe loanonlymuchtalk. ButIdoadmitthejewels
areworthyoftheloan.
"Didthisladyaskthyadviceastothewisdomoftheloan?"
"Quiteotherwise.She hadpictured toherselfthissonofhersasawealthyandpowerfulmanof

Babylon. To suggest the contrary was to infuriate her. A fair rebuke I had.Iknewtheriskfor
thisinexperiencedboy,butassheofferedsecurityIcouldnotrefuseher.
"This," continued Mathon, waving a bit of pack rope tied into aknot,"belongsto Nebatur,the
camel trader. When hewouldbuyaherdlargerthanhis fundshebringsto methis knotandI
lendto himaccording tohis needs. Heisawisetrader.Ihaveconfidenceinhisgoodjudgment
and can lend him freely. Many other merchants of Babylon have my confidence because of
their honorable behavior. Their tokens come and go frequently in my token box. Good
merchants are an asset to our city and it profits me to aid them to keep trade moving that
Babylonbeprosperous."
Mathon picked out a beetle carved in turquoise and tossed it contemptuously on thefloor."A
bug from Egypt. The lad who owns this does not care whether I ever receive back my gold.
When I reproach him he replies, 'How canIrepay whenillfatepursuesme?You haveplenty
more.'What canIdo?Thetokenishisfather'sa worthymanofsmallmeanswhodidpledge
hislandand herd to back hisson's enterprises.The youthfound successatfirst andthenwas
overzealous to gain great wealth. His knowledge was immature. His enterprises collapsed.
"Youth isambitious.Youthwouldtakeshortcutsto wealth andthe desirablethingsforwhichit
stands.Tosecurewealthquicklyyouthoftenborrowsunwisely.
Youth, never having had experience, cannot realize that hopeless debt is like a deep pit into
which onemaydescendquicklyandwhereonemay strugglevainlyformanydays.Itisapitof
sorrow and regrets wherethebrightnessofthe sunisovercast andnightismade unhappyby
restlesssleeping.Yet,Idonotdiscourageborrowinggold.Iencourageit.Irecommenditifitbe
forawisepurpose.Imyselfmademyfirstrealsuccessasamerchantwithborrowedgold.
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"Yet, what should the lender do in such a case? The youth is in despair and accomplishes
nothing. He is discouraged. Hemakesnoeffort to repay.My heartturnsagainstdeprivingthe
fatherofhislandandcattle."
"You tellmemuchthatI aminterestedtohear,"venturedRodan, "but,Ihearnoanswertomy

question.ShouldIlendmyfiftypiecesofgoldtomysister'shusband?Theymeanmuchtome."
"Thy sisteris asterlingwoman whomI do muchesteem. Shouldherhusbandcometomeand

asktoborrowfiftypiecesofgoldIshouldaskhimforwhatpurposehewoulduseit.
"If he answered that he desiredto becomea merchantlikemyselfanddealin jewelsandrich

furnishings.Iwouldsay, 'Whatknowledge have youoftheways of trade?Do youknowwhere
you can buy at lowest cost? Do you know where you can sell at a fair price?" Could he say
'Yes'tothesequestions?"
"No, he could not," Rodan admitted. "He has helped me much in making spears and he has
helpedsomeintheshops."
"Then,wouldIsayto himthathispurposewas notwise.Merchantsmustlearntheirtrade.His

ambition,thoughworthy,isnotpracticalandIwouldnotlendhimanygold.
"But, supposing he could say: 'Yes, I have helped merchants much. I know how to travel to
Smyrna and to buy at low cost the rugs the housewives weave. Ialso knowmanyofthe rich
peopleofBabylontowhomIcanselltheseatalargeprofit.'ThenIwouldsay:'Yourpurposeis
wiseand your ambitionhonorable.Ishallbegladtolendyouthefiftypiecesofgoldifyoucan
givemesecuritythattheywillbereturned."Butwouldhesay,'Ihavenosecurityotherthanthat
I am an honored man and will payyou wellforthe loan.' ThenwouldI reply,'Itreasuremuch
each piece of gold. Were the robbers to take it from youasyoujourneyedtoSmyrna ortake
therugsfromyouasyoureturned,thenyouwouldhavenomeansofrepayingmeandmygold
wouldbegone.'
"Gold,yousee,Rodan,is themerchandise of thelenderofmoney.Itiseasytolend.Ifitislent

unwisely then it is difficult to get back. The wiselenderwishesnottheriskofthe undertaking
buttheguaranteeofsaferepayment.
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"'Tiswell,"hecontinued, "toassistthosethatareintrouble, 'tiswelltohelp thoseuponwhom

fate haslaidaheavyhand.'Tis welltohelpthosewhoare startingthattheymayprogressand
become valuable citizens. But help must be given wisely, lest, like the farmer's ass, in our
desiretohelpwebuttakeuponourselvestheburdenthatbelongstoanother.
"AgainI wanderedfromthyquestion,Rodan,buthearmyanswer:Keepthyfiftypiecesofgold.
What thy labor earns for theeandwhatisgiventheeforrewardisthineownand no man can
putanobligation upontheeto partwithitunlessitdobethywish.Iftheewouldstlenditsothat
itmayearntheemore gold,thenlendwithcautionandinmanyplaces.Ilikenotidlegold,even
lessIliketoomuchofrisk.
"Howmanyyearshastthoulaboredasaspearmaker?"
"Fullythree.""HowmuchbesidestheKing'sgifthastsaved?"
"Threegoldpieces."
"Each year that thou hast labored thou has denied thyself good things to save from thine
earningsonepieceofgold?"
"'Tisasyousay."
"Thenmightestsaveinfiftyyearsoflaborfiftypiecesofgoldbythyselfdenial?"
"Alifetimeoflaboritwouldbe."
"Thinkest thou thy sister would wish to jeopardize the savings of fifty years of labor over the
bronzemeltingpotthatherhusbandmightexperimentonbeingamerchant?"
"NotifIspokeinyourwords."
"Thengotoher andsay:'ThreeyearsIhavelaboredeach dayexceptfastdays,frommorning

untilnight,andIhavedeniedmyselfmany thingsthatmyheartcraved. Foreachyearoflabor
and selfdenialIhavetoshowonepieceofgold.Thou art myfavoredsister andI wishthatthy
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husbandmay engagein business inwhichhewillprospergreatly.Ifhewillsubmittomeaplan

that seems wise andpossibleto myfriend, Mathon,thenwill Igladlylendtohimmysavingsof
an entire year that he may have an opportunity toprove thathecansucceed.' Dothat, Isay,
and if he has within him the soul to succeed he can prove it. If he fails he will not owe thee
morethanhecanhopesomedaytorepay.
"I am a gold lender because I own more gold than I can use in my own trade. I desire my
surplusgoldtolaborforothersand therebyearnmoregold.I do notwishtotakeriskoflosing
my gold for I have labored much and denied myself much to secure it. Therefore, I will no
longer lend anyofit whereIamnotconfidentthatitissafeand willbereturnedtome.Neither
willIlenditwhereIamnotconvincedthatitsearningswillbepromptlypaidtome.
"I have told to thee, Rodan, a few of the secrets of my token chest. From them you may
understand the weakness of men and their eagerness to borrow that which they have no
certainmeanstorepay. Fromthisyoucanseehowoftentheirhighhopesofthegreatearnings
theycouldmake,iftheybut hadgold,arebutfalsehopestheyhavenottheabilityortrainingto
fulfill.
"Thou, Rodan, nowhave goldwhichthoushouldst puttoearningmoregoldforthee. Thouart

about to become even as I, a gold lender. If thou dost safely preserve thy treasure it will
produce liberalearningsfortheeand bearichsourceofpleasureandprofitduringallthydays.
Butifthoudost letitescapefromthee, itwillbeasourceofconstantsorrowandregretaslong
asthymemorydothlast.
"Whatdesirestthoumostofthisgoldinthywallet?"
"Tokeepitsafe."
"Wiselyspoken,"repliedMathonapprovingly."Thyfirstdesireisforsafety.Thinkestthouthatin
thecustodyofthysister'shusbanditwouldbetrulysafefrompossibleloss?"
"Ifearnot,forheisnotwiseinguardinggold."
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"Then be not swayed by foolish sentiments of obligationto trust thytreasuretoanyperson.If

thouwouldsthelpthyfamilyorthyfriends, findotherways thanriskingthelossofthytreasure.
Forget not that gold slippeth away in unexpected ways from thoseunskilledin guardingit.As
wellwastethytreasureinextravaganceasletothersloseitforthee.
"Whatnextaftersafetydostdesireofthistreasureofthine?"
"Thatitearnmoregold."
"Againthouspeakestwithwisdom.Itshouldbemadetoearnandgrowlarger.Goldwiselylent
may evendoubleitselfwithitsearnings beforeamanlikeyougrowethold.If yourisk losingit
yourisklosingallthatitwouldearnaswell.
"Therefore, be notswayedbythefantasticplansofimpracticalmenwhothinktheyseewaysto
force thy gold to make earnings unusually large. Such plans are the creations of dreamers
unskilled in the safe and dependable laws of trade. Be conservative in what thou expectitto
earn that thou mayest keep and enjoy thy treasure. To hire it out with a promise of usurious
returnsistoinviteloss.
"Seek to associate thyself with men and enterprises whose success is established that thy
treasure may earn liberally under their skillfuluse andbeguardedsafely by their wisdomand
experience.
"Thus,mayestthouavoidthemisfortunesthatfollowmostofthesonsofmentowhomthegods
seefittoentrustgold."
When Rodan would thank him for his wise advice hewouldnotlisten,saying,"Theking'sgift
shall teach thee much wisdom. If wouldst keep thy fifty pieces of gold thou must be discreet
indeed.Manyuseswilltemptthee.Muchadvicewillbespokentothee.Numerousopportunities
to make large profits will be offered thee. The stories from my token box should warn thee,
beforethou let anypiece of goldleave thypouch to be sure thatthouhastasafewaytopullit
backagain.Shouldmyfurtheradviceappealtothee,returnagain.Itisgladlygiven.
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" 'E're thou goest read this which I have carved beneath the lid of my token box. It applies
equallytotheborrowerandthelender:
BETTERALITTLECAUTION
THANAGREATREGRET
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The Walls of Babylon
Old Banzar, grim warrior of another day,stoodguardat thepassageway leadingto thetopof

theancient walls of Babylon.Up above, valiant defenderswerebattlingtoholdthewalls.Upon
themdependedthefutureexistenceofthisgreatcitywithitshundredsofthousandsofcitizens.
Overthe walls camethe roaroftheattackingarmies, theyellingofmanymen,thetramplingof

thousandsofhorses,thedeafeningboomofthebatteringramspoundingthebronzedgates.
Inthestreet behind thegateloungedthespearmen,waiting todefendthe entranceshouldthe

gates give way. They were but few for the task. The main armies of Babylon were with their
king,faraway inthe east on thegreatexpeditionagainsttheElamites.No attackuponthecity
having been anticipated during their absence, thedefendingforcesweresmall. Unexpectedly,
fromthenorth,boredownthe mighty armies ofthe Assyrians.Andnowthewallsmust holdor
Babylonwasdoomed.
About Banzar weregreatcrowdsofcitizens, whitefaced andterrified,eagerlyseekingnewsof

thebattle.Withhushedawetheyviewedthestreamofwoundedanddeadbeingcarriedorled
outofthepassageway.
Here was the crucial pointofattack.Afterthreedaysofcirclingaboutthecity,theenemyhad

suddenlythrownhisgreatstrengthagainstthissectionandthisgate.
The defendersfromthetopof thewall foughtofftheclimbingplatformsandthescalingladders

of the attackers with arrows, burning oil and, if any reached the top, spears. Against the
defenders,thousandsoftheenemy'sarcherspouredadeadlybarrageofarrows.
Old Banzar had the vantage point for news. He wasclosesttotheconflictandfirst to hear of
eachfreshrepulseofthefrenziedattackers.
An elderly merchant crowded closetohim,hispalsiedhandsquivering."Tellme! Tellme!"he

pleaded."Theycannotgetin.Mysonsarewiththegoodking.Thereisnoonetoprotectmyold
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wife.Mygoods,theywillstealall.Myfood,theywillleavenothing.Weareold,toooldtodefend
ourselvestoooldforslaves.Weshallstarve.Weshalldie.Tellmetheycannotgetin."
"Calm thyself, good merchant," the guard responded. "The walls of Babylon are strong. Go
backtothebazaarandtellyourwifethat thewallswill protect youandallofyourpossessions
assafely as they protect therich treasures of theking.Keepclose tothewalls,lestthearrows
flyingoverstrikeyou!"
A womanwith ababeinarmstookthe oldman'splaceashe withdrew."Sergeant,whatnews

from the top? Tell me truly that I may reassure my poor husband. He lieswith feverfromhis
terrible wounds, yet insists upon his armor and his spear to protect me, who am with child.
Terriblehesayswillbethevengefullustofourenemiesshouldtheybreakin."
"Bethouofgoodheart, thou mother thatis,andisagaintobe,thewallsofBabylonwillprotect

you andyourbabes.Theyarehighandstrong.Hearyenottheyellsofourvaliantdefendersas
theyemptythecaldronsofburningoilupontheladderscalers?"
"Yes,thatdoIhearandalsotheroarofthebatteringramsthatdohammeratourgates."
"Back to thy husband. Tell him the gates are strong and withstand the rams. Also that the
scalers climb the walls but to receive the waiting spear thrust. Watch, thy way and hasten
behindyoubuildings."
Banzarstepped asidetoclearthepassageforheavilyarmedreinforcements.As,withclanking
bronzeshieldsandheavytread,theytrampedby,asmallgirlpluckedathisgirdle.
"Tell meplease,soldier,are wesafe?"shepleaded.Iheartheawful noises.Isee themenall

bleeding.Iamsofrightened.Whatwillbecomeofourfamily,ofmymother,littlebrotherandthe
baby?"
Thegrimoldcampaignerblinkedhiseyesandthrustforwardhischinashebeheldthechild.
"Be not afraid, little one,"hereassuredher."ThewallsofBabylonwillprotectyouandmother

and little brother and the baby. It was for the safety of such as you that the good Queen
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Semiramis built them over a hundred years ago. Never have they been broken through. Go
back and tell your mother and little brother andthe baby thatthe wallsof Babylonwill protect
themandtheyneedhavenofear."
Day after day old Banzar stood at his post and watched the reinforcements file up the
passageway,theretostayandfightuntilwoundedordeadtheycamedownoncemore.Around
him,unceasinglycrowdedthethrongsoffrightenedcitizenseagerlyseekingtolearnifthewalls
would hold. To all he gave his answer with the fine dignity of an old soldier, "The walls of
Babylonwillprotectyou."
For three weeks and five days the attack waged with scarcely ceasing violence. Harder and
grimmersetthejawofBanzarasthepassagebehind,wetwiththebloodofthemanywounded,
waschurnedintomudbythenever ceasingstreams of menpassingupand staggeringdown.
Each day the slaughtered attackers piled up in heaps before the wall. Each night they were
carried back and buried by their comrades. Upon the fifth night ofthefourthweek theclamor
without diminished. The first streaks ofdaylight,illuminatingthe plains,disclosedgreat clouds
ofdustraisedbytheretreatingarmies
A mighty shout went up from the defenders. There was no mistaking its meaning. It was
repeatedbythewaitingtroopsbehindthewalls.Itwasechoedbythecitizensuponthestreets.
Itsweptoverthecitywiththeviolenceofastorm.
People rushed from the houses.The streets were jammedwitha throbbing mob.The pentup
fear of weeks found an outlet in the wild chorus of joy. From the top of the high towerofthe
Temple of Bel burst forth the flames of victory. Skyward floated the column of bluesmoketo
carrythemessagefarandwide.
The wallsof Babylonhadonceagainrepulsedamighty andviscousfoedeterminedtoloother

richtreasuresandtoravishandenslavehercitizens.
Babylon endured century after century becauseitwas fullyprotected.Itcould notafford tobe

otherwise.
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The walls of Babylon were an outstanding example of man's need and desire for protection.
Thisdesire isinherentin thehumanrace.Itis justasstrongtodayasiteverwas,butwehave
developedbroaderandbetterplanstoaccomplishthesamepurpose.
In this day, behind the impregnable walls of insurance, savings accounts and dependable
investments,wecanguardourselvesagainsttheunexpectedtragediesthatmayenteranydoor
andseatthemselvesbeforeanyfireside.
WECANNOTAFFORDTOBEWITHOUTADEQUATEPROTECTION
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The Camel Trader of Babylon
The hungrier one becomes, the clearer one's mind works also the more sensitive one
becomestotheodorsoffood.
Tarkad, the son of Azure, certainly thought so. For two whole days he had tasted no food
except two small figs purloined from over the wall of a garden. Not another could he grab
beforetheangry womanrushedforthandchasedhimdownthestreet.Hershrillcrieswerestill
ringing in his ears as he walked through the market place. They helped him to retrain his
restlessfingersfromsnatchingthetemptingfruitsfromthebasketsofthemarketwomen.
Never beforehadherealized howmuchfoodwas broughtto themarkets ofBabylonand how

good it smelled. Leaving themarket, he walked across totheinnand pacedback andforthin
frontoftheeatinghouse.Perhapsherehemightmeetsomeoneheknewsomeonefromwhom
hecouldborrowacopperthatwouldgainhimasmilefromtheunfriendlykeeperoftheinnand,
withit,aliberalhelping.Withoutthecopperheknewalltoowellhowunwelcomehewouldbe.
Inhisabstractionheunexpectedlyfoundhimselffacetofacewiththeonemanhewishedmost
to avoid, the tall bony figure of Dabasir, the camel trader. Of all the friends and others from
whom he hadborrowedsmallsums,Dabasirmadehimfeelthemostuncomfortablebecauseof
hisfailuretokeephispromisestorepaypromptly.
Dabasir's face lightedup atthe sightof him. "Ha!'TisTarkad,justtheoneIhavebeenseeking

that he might repay the two pieces of copper which I lent him a moon ago alsothepiece of
silver which I lent to him before that. We are well met. I canmake gooduse ofthe coinsthis
veryday.Whatsay,boy?Whatsay?"
Tarkad stuttered and his face flushed. He had naught in his empty stomach to nerve him to
argue withthe outspokenDabasir."Iam sorry,verysorry,"hemumbled weakly,"butthisdayI
haveneitherthe copper northesilver withwhichIcould repay.""Thengetit,"Dabasirinsisted.
"Surelythou canstgetholdofa fewcoppers andapieceofsilvertorepaythegenerosityofan
oldfriendofthyfatherwhoaidedtheewhenstthouwastinneed?"
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"'TisbecauseillfortunedoespursuemethatIcannotpay."
"Ill fortune!Wouldst blamethe godsforthineownweakness.Illfortunepursueseverymanwho

thinks more of borrowing than of repaying.Comewithme,boy,whileIeat.Iam hungry andI
wouldtelltheeatale."
TarkadflinchedfromthebrutalfranknessofDabasir,buthereatleastwasaninvitationtoenter
thecoveteddoorwayoftheeatinghouse.
Dabasirpushedhimtoafarcorneroftheroomwheretheyseatedthemselvesuponsmallrugs.
When Kauskor, the proprietor, appeared smiling, Dabasir addressed him with his usual
freedom, "Fat lizard of the desert, bring to me a leg of the goat, brown with much juice, and
bread and all of the vegetables for I am hungry and want muchfood.Do notforgetmyfriend
here.Bringtohimajugofwater.Haveitcooled,forthedayishot."
Tarkad's heart sank. Must he sit here and drink water while he watched this man devour an
entiregoatleg?Hesaidnothing.Hethoughtofnothinghecouldsay.
Dabasir, however, knewnosuchthingassilence. Smilingandwavinghishandgoodnaturedly

totheothercustomers,allofwhomknewhim,hecontinued.
"Idid hearfromatravelerjustreturnedfromUrfaofacertainrichmanwhohasapieceofstone
cut so thin that one can look through it. He put it in the window of his housetokeepoutthe
rains.Itisyellow,sothistravelerdoesrelate,andhewaspermittedtolookthroughitandallthe
outsideworld lookedstrange andnot likeit reallyis.Whatsayyoutothat,Tarkad?Thinkestall
theworldcouldlooktoamanadifferentcolorfromwhatitis?"
"I dare say," responded the youth, much more interested in the fat leg of goat placed before
Dabasir.
"Well, I know it to be true for I myself have seentheworldallofa differentcolorfromwhatit

reallyisandthetaleIamabouttotellrelateshowIcametoseeitinitsrightcoloroncemore."
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"Dabasir will tell a tale," whispered a neighboring diner to his neighbor, and dragged his rug
close. Other diners brought their food and crowded in a semicircle. They crunched noisily in
the ears of Tarkad and brushed him with their meaty bones. He alone was without food.
Dabasirdid notoffertosharewithhim norevenmotionhimtoasmallcornerofthehardbread
thatwasbrokenoffandhadfallenfromtheplattertothefloor.
"The talethatIam abouttotell,"beganDabasir,pausingtobite agoodlychunk from thegoat

leg, "relates to my early life and how I came to be a camel trader. Didst anyone know that I
oncewasaslaveinSyria?"
AmurmurofsurpriseranthroughtheaudiencetowhichDabasirlistenedwithsatisfaction.
"When Iwas ayoungman,"continuedDabasir after anotherviciousonslaughtonthegoatleg,

"Ilearned thetradeofmyfather,themaking ofsaddles.Iworkedwithhiminhisshopandtook
tomyselfawife.
Being youngandnotgreatlyskilled,Icouldearnbutlittle,justenoughtosupportmy excellent

wifein amodestway.I craved goodthingswhichIcouldnotafford.SoonIfoundthattheshop
keeperswouldtrustmetopaylatereventhough
I could not pay at the time. "Being young and without experience I did not knowthat he who
spends more than he earns is sowing the winds ofneedlessselfindulgencefromwhich he is
sureto reap thewhirlwinds of trouble andhumiliation.SoI indulgedmy whims for fineraiment
and bought luxuriesformy good wife andour home,beyond ourmeans."IpaidasIcouldand
fora whileallwentwell.But intimeIdiscoveredI couldnotusemyearningsbothtoliveupon
and to pay mydebts.Creditorsbeganto pursue metopayfor myextravagantpurchases and
mylife becamemiserable. Iborrowedfrommyfriends, butcouldnotrepaythemeither.Things
wentfrombadtoworse.MywifereturnedtoherfatherandIdecidedtoleaveBabylonandseek
anothercitywhereayoungmanmighthavebetterchances.
"FortwoyearsIhadarestlessandunsuccessfullifeworkingforcaravantraders.FromthisIfell
in with a set of likeable robbers who scoured the desert for unarmed caravans. Such deeds
wereunworthyofthesonofmyfather,butI wasseeingthe worldthroughacoloredstoneand
didnotrealizetowhatdegradationIhadfallen.
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"We met with success on our first trip, capturing a rich haul of gold and silks and valuable
merchandise.ThislootwetooktoGinirandsquandered.
"The second time we were not so fortunate. Just after we had made our capture, we were
attacked bythespearsmenofanativechieftowhom thecaravanspaidforprotection.Ourtwo
leaderswerekilled,and therest ofuswere takentoDamascus wherewe werestrippedofour
clothingandsoldasslaves.
"Iwaspurchased fortwopiecesofsilverbyaSyriandesertchief.Withmyhairshornandbuta
loin cloth towear,Iwasnotsodifferentfromtheotherslaves.Beingarecklessyouth,Ithought
itmerelyan adventureuntilmymastertookmebeforehisfourwives andtoldthemtheycould
havemeforaeunuch.
Then, indeed, did I realize the hopelessness of my situation. These men of the desert were
fierceandwarlike.Iwassubjecttotheirwillwithoutweaponsormeansofescape.
"Fearful I stood, as those four women looked me over. I wondered if Icould expect pityfrom
them.Sira,thefirstwife,wasolderthantheothers.Herfacewasimpassiveasshelookedupon
me. Iturnedfromherwithlittleconsolation.Thenextwasacontemptuousbeautywhogazedat
me as indifferently as if I had been a worm of the earth. The two younger ones tittered as
thoughitwereallanexcitingjoke.
"It seemedanagethatIstoodwaitingsentence.Eachwomanappearedwillingfortheothersto
decide.FinallySiraspokeupinacoldvoice.
" 'Of eunuchs wehaveplenty,butofcamel tenderswehavefewand theyareaworthless lot.

Even this day I would visit my motherwhoissick withthefeverand thereis no slaveIwould
trusttoleadmycamel.Askthisslaveifhecanleadacamel.'
"Mymasterthereuponquestionedme,'Whatknowyouofcamels?'
"Strivingtoconceal myeagerness,Ireplied,Icanmakethemkneel,Icanloadthem,Icanlead
themonlongtripswithouttiring.Ifneedbe,Icanrepairtheirtrappings."
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"'Theslave speaksforwardenough, observedmymaster.Ifthousodesire,Sira,takethisman

forthycameltender.'
"So I was turned over to Sira and that day I led her camel upon a long journey to her sick
mother.I took theoccasionto thankherforherintercessionandalsototellherthatIwasnota
slavebybirth, butthesonof afreeman,anhonorable saddle makerofBabylon.Ialsotoldher
muchofmy story.HercommentsweredisconcertingtomeandIponderedmuchafterwardson
whatshesaid.
"'How canyoucallyourselfafreemanwhenyourweaknesshasbroughtyoutothis?Ifaman
has in himself the soul of a slave will he not become one no matter what his birth, even as
water seeks its level? If a man has within him the soul of a free man, will he not become
respectedandhonoredinhisowncityinspiteofhismisfortune?'
"ForoverayearIwasaslaveandlivedwiththeslaves,butIcouldnotbecomeasoneofthem.
One day Sira asked me, 'In the eventime when the other slaves can mingle and enjoy the
societyofeachother,whydostthousitinthytentalone?'
"Towhich Iresponded,'Iamponderingwhatyouhavesaidtome.IwonderifIhavethesoulof
aslave.Icannotjointhem,soImustsitapart.'
"'I,too,mustsitapart,'sheconfided.'Mydowry waslarge andmylordmarriedmebecauseof

it. Yet he does not desire me. What every woman longs for is to be desired.Because of this
and because I am barren and have neither sonnor daughter,mustIsitapart.WereIamanI
wouldratherdiethanbesuchaslave,buttheconventionsofourtribemakeslavesofwomen.'
"'Whatthinkthouofmebythistime?'Iaskedhersuddenly,'HaveIthesoulofamanorhaveI
thesoulofaslave?'
"'HaveyouadesiretorepaythejustdebtsyouoweinBabylon?'sheparried.
"'Yes,Ihavethedesire,butIseenoway.'
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" 'If thou contentedly let the years slip by and make noefforttorepay, then thouhastbut the
contemptible soulofaslave.No man isotherwise whocannotrespecthimselfandnomancan
respecthimselfwhodoesnotrepayhonestdebts.'
"'ButwhatcanIdowhoamaslaveinSyria?'
"'StayaslaveinSyria,thouweakling.'
"'Iamnotaweakling,'Ideniedhotly.
"'Thenproveit.'
"'How?'
" 'Does notthy greatkingfight hisenemies ineveryway he canandwith everyforcehehas?

Thy debts are thy enemies. They ran theeout of Babylon.Youleft them aloneand they grew
toostrongforthee.Hadstfoughtthemasa man,thou couldsthaveconqueredthemandbeen
one honored among the townspeople. But thou had not the soultofight themand behold thy
pridehastgonedownuntilthouartaslaveinSyria.'
"Much I thought over her unkind accusations and many defensive phrases I wordedto prove
myselfnotaslaveatheart,butIwasnottohavethe chancetousethem.Threedayslaterthe
maidofSiratookmetohermistress.
" 'My mother is again very sick,' she said. 'Saddlethetwobestcamelsinmyhusband'sherd.

Tie on water skins and saddle bags for a long journey. The maid will give thee food at the
kitchen tent.' I packed the camels wondering much at the quantity of provisions the maid
provided, for the mother dwelt less than a day's journey away.The maid rode therearcamel
which followedandIledthecamelofmymistress.Whenwereachedhermother'shouseitwas
justdark.Siradismissedthemaidandsaidtome:
"'Dabasir,hastthouthesoulofafreemanorthesoulofaslave?'
"'Thesoulofafreeman,'Iinsisted.
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"'Now isthy chanceto proveit.Thy master hathimbibeddeeplyandhischiefsareinastupor.

Take then these camels and make thy escape. Here in this bag is raiment of thymaster'sto
disguisethee.IwillsaythoustolethecamelsandranawaywhileIvisitedmysickmother.'
"'Thouhastthesoulofaqueen,'Itoldher.'MuchdoIwishthatImightleadtheetohappiness.'
" 'Happiness,' she responded, 'awaits not the runaway wife who seeks it in far lands among
strangepeople. Gothyownway andmaythe godsof thedesert protect theeforthewayisfar
andbarrenoffoodorwater.'
"I needed no further urging, but thanked her warmly and was away into the night.Iknew not
this strange country and had only a dim idea of the directioninwhichlay Babylon, butstruck
out bravely across the desert toward the hills. One camel I rode and the other I led. All that
night I traveled and all the nest day, urged on by the knowledge of the terrible fate that was
metedouttoslaveswhostoletheirmaster'spropertyandtriedtoescape.
"Latethat afternoon,Ireachedaroughcountryasuninhabitableasthedesert.Thesharprocks
bruisedthe feetofmyfaithfulcamelsandsoontheywerepickingtheirwayslowlyandpainfully
along. I met neither man nor beast and could well understand why they shunned this
inhospitableland.
"It wassuchajourneyfromthenonasfew men livetotellof.Dayafterdayweploddedalong.

Foodandwatergaveout.Theheat of thesunwasmerciless. Attheendoftheninthday,Islid
from the back of my mount with the feeling that I was too weak to ever remountandIwould
surelydie,lostinthisabandonedcountry.
"Istretchedoutuponthegroundandslept,notwakinguntilthefirstgleamofdaylight.
"I sat up and looked about me. There was a coolness in the morning air. My camels lay
dejected not far away. About me was a vast waste of broken country covered with rock and
sandandthornythings,nosignofwater,naughttoeatformanorcamel.
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"Could it be that in this peaceful quiet I faced my end? My mind wasclearerthanithad ever
been before. My body now seemedoflittle importance.Myparched andbleedinglips,mydry
andswollentongue,myemptystomach,allhadlosttheirsupremeagoniesofthedaybefore.
"I looked across into theuninvitingdistanceand once againcametome thequestion,'HaveI

the soul of a slave or the soul of a free man?' Then withclearnessIrealizedthatifI hadthe
soul of a slave, I should give up, lie down in the desert and die, a fitting end for a runaway
slave.
"But if I had thesoulofafreeman,whatthen?Surely Iwould force mywaybacktoBabylon,

repaythepeoplewho hadtrustedme,bringhappinesstomywifewhotrulylovedmeandbring
peaceandcontentmenttomyparents.
"'ThydebtsarethineenemieswhohaveruntheeoutofBabylon,'Sirahadsaid.Yesitwasso.
Whyhad Irefusedtostandmygroundlikeaman?WhyhadIpermittedmy wife togobackto
herfather?
"Thena strangethinghappened.AlltheworldseemedtobeofadifferentcolorasthoughIhad
beenlookingatit througha colored stonewhich hadsuddenlybeenremoved.AtlastIsawthe
truevaluesinlife.
"Dieinthedesert!NotI!Withanewvision,IsawthethingsthatImustdo.FirstIwouldgoback
to Babylon and face every man to whom I owed an unpaid debt. I should tell themthatafter
yearsofwanderingandmisfortune,Ihadcomebacktopaymydebtsasfastasthegodswould
permit. Next I should make a home for my wife and become a citizen of whom my parents
shouldbeproud.
"Mydebts weremyenemies,but themenIowed were myfriendsfortheyhadtrustedmeand

believedinme.
"I staggered weakly to my feet. What mattered hunger? What mattered thirst? They werebut
incidents on the road to Babylon. Within me surged the soul of a free man going back to
conquerhisenemiesandrewardhisfriends.Ithrilledwiththegreatresolve.
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"The glazed eyes ofmycamelsbrightenedatthenewnoteinmyhuskyvoice.Withgreateffort,
after many attempts, they gained their feet. With pitiful perseverance, they pushedontoward
thenorthwheresomethingwithinmesaidwewouldfindBabylon.
"Wefoundwater. Wepassedintoamore fertilecountrywhereweregrass andfruit.We found

the trail to Babylon because the soul of a freemanlooks atlife as aseriesof problemsto be
solvedandsolvesthem,whilethesoulofaslavewhines,'WhatcanIdowhoambutaslave?'
"Howaboutthee,Tarkad?Dostthyemptystomachmakethyheadexceedinglyclear?Artready
totake theroadthat leadsbacktoselfrespect?Canstthouseetheworldinitstruecolor?Hast
thouthedesiretopaythy honest debts,howevermanytheymaybe,andonceagainbeaman
respectedinBabylon?"
Moisture cametotheeyes ofthe youth.He rose eagerlyto hisknees."Thouhas shown mea

visionalreadyIfeelthesoulofafreemansurgewithinme."
"Buthowfaredyouuponyourreturn?"questionedaninterestedlistener.
"Where the determination is, the way can be found" Dabasir replied. "I now had the
determination so I set outtofindaway.FirstIvisitedeverymantowhomIwasindebted and
beggedhis indulgenceuntilIcould earn thatwithwhich to repay.Mostofthemmetmegladly.
Several reviled me but others offered to help me one indeed did give me the very help I
needed. It was Mathon, the gold lender. Learning thatIhadbeenacameltenderinSyria he
sent me to old Nebatur, the camel trader, just commissioned by our good king to purchase
manyherdsof soundcamels for thegreatexpedition.Withhim,myknowledgeofcamelsIput
togooduse.GraduallyIwasabletorepayeverycopperandeverypieceofsilver.ThenatlastI
couldholdupmyheadandfeelthatIwasanhonorablemanamongmen."
Again Dabasir turned to his food. "Kauskor, thou snail," he called loudly to be heard in the
kitchen, "the food is cold. Bring me moremeat freshfromtheroasting.Bringthoualsoa very
largeportionforTarkad,thesonofmyoldfriend,whoishungryandshalleatwithme."
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Soendedthetaleof Dabasirthe cameltrader of oldBabylon. Hefoundhis own soulwhen he

realizedagreattruth,atruththathadbeenknownandusedbywisemenlongbeforehistime.
It has led men of all ages out of difficulties and into success and it will continue to do sofor
thosewhohavethe wisdomtounderstanditsmagic power.Itisforany mantousewhoreads
theselines.
WHERETHEDETERMINATIONIS,
THEWAYCANBEFOUND
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The Clay Tablets From Babylon
St.Swithin'sCollege|NottinghamUniversity|NewarkonTrent|Nottingham
ProfessorFranklinCaldwell,
CareofBritishScientificExpedition,
Hillah,Mesopotamia.
October21,1934.
My dear Professor: The five clay tablets from your recent excavation in the ruins of Babylon
arrivedonthesameboatwith your letter.Ihavebeenfascinatednoend,andhavespentmany
pleasant hours translating their inscriptions. I should have answered your letter at once but
delayed until I could complete the translationswhichareattached.Thetabletsarrivedwithout
damage,thankstoyourcarefuluseofpreservativesandexcellentpacking.
You willbeasastonishedasweinthe laboratoryat thestorytheyrelate.Oneexpectsthedim

and distant pasttospeakof romanceandadventure."ArabianNights"sortofthings,youknow.
When instead it discloses the problem of a person named Dabasir to pay off his debts, one
realizes that conditions upon this old worldhavenotchangedasmuch infivethousandyears
asonemightexpect.
It's odd, you know , but these old inscriptions rather rage me, as the students say.Beinga
college professor, I am supposed to be a thinking human being possessing a working
knowledge of most subjects. Yet, here comes this old chap out of the dustcovered ruins of
Babylon to offeraway Ihad neverheard oftopayoffmydebts andatthe sametimeacquire
goldtojingleinmywallet.
Pleasantthought,I say,andinteresting to provewhether itwillworkaswellnowadaysasitdid

in old Babylon. Mrs. Shrewsbury and myself are planning to try out his plan upon our own
affairs whichcould be muchimproved.Wishingyou thebestofluckinyourworthyundertaking
andwaitingeagerlyanotheropportunitytoassist,Iam
Yourssincerely,
AlfredH.Shewsbury,
DepartmentofArchaeology.
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Tablet No. I
Now,whenthemoonbecomethfull,I,Dabasir,whoambutrecentlyreturnedfromslaveryin
Syria,withthedeterminationtopaymymanyjustdebtsandbecomeamanofmeansworthyof
respectinmynativecityofBabylon,dohereengraveupontheclayapermanentrecordofmy
affairstoguideandassistmeincarryingthroughmyhighdesires.
UnderthewiseadviceofmygoodfriendMathon,thegoldlender,Iamdeterminedtofollowan
exactplanthathedothsaywillleadanyhonorablemanoutofdebtintomeansandself
respect.
Thisplanincludeththreepurposeswhicharemyhopeanddesire.
First,theplandothprovideformyfutureprosperity.
ThereforeonetenthofallIearnshallbesetasideasmyowntokeep.ForMathonspeaketh
wiselywhenhesaith:
"Thatmanwhokeepethinhispursebothgoldandsilverthatheneednotspendisgoodtohis
familyandloyaltohisking.
"Themanwhohathbutafewcoppersinhispurseisindifferenttohisfamilyandindifferentto
hisking.
"Butthemanwhohathnaughtinhispurseisunkindtohisfamilyandisdisloyaltohisking,for
hisownheartisbitter.
"Therefore,themanwhowishethtoachievemusthavecointhathemaykeeptojingleinhis
purse,thathehaveinhisheartloveforhisfamilyandloyaltytohisking."
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Second,theplandothprovidethatIshallsupportandclothemygoodwifewhohathreturnedto
mewithloyaltyfromthehouseofherfather.ForMathondothsaythattotakegoodcareofa
faithfulwifeputtethselfrespectintotheheartofamanandaddethstrengthanddetermination
tohispurposes.
ThereforesevententhsofallIearnshallbeusedtoprovideahome,clothestowear,andfood
toeat,withabitextratospend,thatourlivesbenotlackinginpleasureandenjoyment.Buthe
dothfurtherenjointhegreatestcarethatwespendnotgreaterthansevententhsofwhatIearn
fortheseworthypurposes.Hereinlieththesuccessoftheplan.
I must live upon this portion and never use more nor buy what I may not pay for out of this
portion.
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Tablet No. II
Third,theplandothprovidethatoutofmyearningsmydebtsshallbepaid.
Thereforeeachtimethe moonisfull,twotenthsofallIhaveearnedshallbedividedhonorably
and fairly among thosewhohavetrustedme andtowhom Iamindebted.Thusinduetimewill
all my indebtedness be surely paid. Therefore, do I here engrave the name of every man to
whomIamindebtedandthehonestamountofmydebt.
Fahru,theclothweaver,2silver,6copper.
Sinjar,thecouchmaker,1silver.
Ahmar,myfriend,3silver,1copper.
Zankar,myfriend,4silver,7copper,
Askamir,myfriend,1silver,3copper.
Harinsir,theJewelmaker,6silver,2copper.
Diarbeker,myfather'sfriend,4silver,1copper.
Alkahad,thehouseowner,14silver.
Mathon,thegoldlender,9silver.
Birejik,thefarmer,1silver,7copper.
(Fromhereon,disintegrated.Cannotbedeciphered.)
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Tablet No. III
Tothese creditorsdoI owe intotalonehundredandnineteenpiecesofsilverandonehundred

and fortyone piecesofcopper. BecauseI didowethesesumsandsawnowaytorepay,inmy
folly I did permit my wife to return to her father and didst leave mynativecityand seek easy
wealthelsewhere,onlytofinddisasterandtoseemyselfsoldintothedegradationofslavery.
Now that Mathondothshowme howI canrepay mydebtsinsmall sumsof myearnings,doI

realize the great extent of my folly in running away from the results of my extravagances.
ThereforehaveIvisitedmycreditorsandexplainedtothemthatIhavenoresourceswithwhich
to pay except my ability to earn, and that I intent to apply two tenths of all I earn upon my
indebtedness evenly and honestly. This much can I pay but no more. Therefore if they be
patient,intimemyobligationswillbepaidinfull.
Ahmar, whom I thought my best friend, reviledme bitterly andI lefthiminhumiliation.Birejik,

thefarmer, pleadedthat Ipay himfirst ashedidstbadlyneedhelp.Alkahad,thehouseowner,
wasindeed disagreeableandinsistedthathewould makemetroubleunlessIdidstsoonsettle
infullwithhim.
Alltherestwillingly accepted myproposal.Therefoream Imoredeterminedthanevertocarry

through, being convinced that it is easier to pay one's just debts than to avoid them. Even
thoughIcannotmeettheneedsanddemandsofafewofmycreditorsIwilldealimpartiallywith
all.
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Tablet No. IV
Again themoonshinesfull.Ihaveworkedhardwitha freemind.Mygoodwifehathsupported

myintentions topaymycreditors.Becauseofourwisedetermination,Ihaveearnedduringthe
past moon, buying camels of sound wind and good legs, for Nebatur, the sum of nineteen
piecesofsilver.
This I have divided according to the plan. Onetenth have I set aside to keep as my own,
seventenths have I divided with my good wife to pay for ourliving.Twotenthshave Idivided
amongmycreditorsasevenlyascouldbedoneincoppers.
Idid notsee Ahmarbutleftit withhis wife. Birejikwassopleased hewouldkissmyhand.Old

Alkahad alone was grouchy and said I must pay faster. To which I replied that if I were
permitted to be well fed and not worried, that alone would enable me to pay faster. All the
othersthankedmeandspokewellofmyefforts.
Therefore, atthe endofonemoon, myindebtednessis reducedbyalmostfourpiecesofsilver

and Ipossess almosttwopiecesof silverbesides, uponwhichno manhathclaim.Myheartis
lighterthanithathbeenforalongtime.
Again themoonshinesfull.Ihaveworkedhardbutwithpoorsuccess.FewcamelshaveIbeen
ableto buy. Only elevenpiecesofsilver have Iearned.Neverthelessmygood wifeandIhave
stoodbytheplaneventhoughwehaveboughtnonewraimentandeatenlittlebutherbs.
Again Ipaid ourselvesonetenthoftheelevenpieces,while weliveduponseventenths.Iwas

surprised when Ahmar commended my payment, even though small. So did Birejik. Alkahad
flew into a rage but when told to give back his portion if he did not wish it, he became
reconciled. The others, as before, were content Again the moon shines full and I am greatly
rejoiced. I intercepted a fine herd of camels and bought many sound ones, therefore my
earnings were fortytwo pieces of silver. This moon my wife and myself have bought much
neededsandalsandraimentAlsowehavedinedwellonmeatandfowl.
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Morethaneightpiecesofsilverwehavepaidtoourcreditors.EvenAlkahaddidnotprotest.
Greatistheplanforitleadethusoutofdebtandgivethuswealthwhichisourstokeep.
Three times the moon had been full since I last carved upon this clay. Each time I paid to
myself onetenth of all I earned. Each time my good wife and Ihaveliveduponseventenths
eventhoughattimesitwasdifficult.EachtimehaveIpaidtomycreditorstwotenths.
In my purse Inow havetwenty onepiecesofsilverthataremine.Itmaketh myheadtostand

straight uponmyshouldersand makethmeproudto walk among myfriends.My wifekeepeth
wellourhomeandisbecominglygowned.Wearehappytolivetogether.
Theplanisofuntoldvalue.Hathitnotmadeanhonorablemanofanexslave?
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Tablet No. V
Again themoonshinesfullandIrememberthat itislong sinceIcarvedupontheclay.Twelve

moonsintruthhavecomeandgone.ButthisdayIwillnotneglectmyrecordbecauseuponthis
day Ihavepaidthelastof mydebts. This isthe dayuponwhichmygoodwifeandmythankful
selfcelebratewithgreatfeastingthatourdeterminationhathbeenachieved.
Many things occurred upon my final visit to my creditors that I shall long remember. Ahmar
begged my forgiveness for his unkind words and said that I was one of all others he most
desiredforafriend.
Old Alkahad is not so bad after all, for he said, "Thou wert once a piece of soft clay to be
pressed and moulded by any hand that touched thee, but now thou art a piece of bronze
capableofholdinganedge.Ifthouneedstsilverorgoldatanytimecometome."
Nor is hetheonly onewhoholdethme inhighregard.Manyothers speakdeferentially tome.

Mygoodwifelookethuponmewithalightinhereyesthatdothmakeamanhaveconfidencein
himself.
Yet it is the plan that hath made my success. It hath enabled me to pay all my debts andto
jinglebothgoldand silverinmypurse.Idocommendittoallwhowishtogetahead.Fortrulyif
itwillenableanexslave topayhisdebts andhavegoldinhispurse,will itnotaidanymanto
find independence?NoramI,myself,finishedwithit,forIamconvincedthatifIfollowitfurther
itwillmakemerichamongmen.
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St.Swithin'sCollege
NottinghamUniversity
NewarkonTrent
Nottingham
ProfessorFranklinCaldwell,
CareofBritishScientificExpedition,
Hillah,Mesopotamia.
November7th,1936.
Mydearprofessor:
If, in your further digging into those ruins of Babylon, you encounter the ghost of a former
resident, an old camel trader named Dabasir, dome afavor. Tellhimthat hisscribblingupon
thoseclaytablets,solongago,hasearnedforhim thelifelonggratitudeofacoupleofcollege
folksbackhereinEngland.
You willpossibly remembermy writingayearagothatMrs.Shrewsburyandmyselfintendedto

try his plan for getting out of debt and at the same time having gold to jingle.You mayhave
guessed,eventhoughwetriedtokeepitfromourfriends,ourdesperatestraits.
We were frightfully humiliated for years byalotofold debtsand worriedsick for fearsomeof
the tradespeople might start a scandal that would force me out of the college. We paid and
paidevery shilling we couldsqueeze outofincomebutitwas hardlyenough toholdthings
even.Besideswewereforcedtodoallourbuyingwherewecouldgetfurthercreditregardless
ofhighercosts.
It developed into one of those vicious circles that growworseinsteadofbetter. Ourstruggles

weregettinghopeless.Wecouldnot movetolesscostlyroomsbecauseweowedthelandlord.
Theredidnotappeartobeanythingwecoulddotoimproveoursituation.
Then, here comesyouracquaintance, theoldcameltraderfromBabylon,withaplantodojust

whatwewishedtoaccomplish.Hejollywellstirredusuptofollowhissystem.Wemadealistof
allourdebtsandItookitaroundandshowedittoeveryoneweowed.
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I explained how it was simply impossible for me to ever pay them the waythingsweregoing
along. They could readily see this themselvesfromthe figures.ThenIexplained thatthe only
wayIsawto payinfullwastosetasidetwentypercentofmyincomeeachmonthtobedivided
prorata,whichwouldpaytheminfullinalittleovertwoyears.That,inthemeantime,wewould
goonacashbasisandgivethemthefurtherbenefitofourcashpurchases.
Theywerereally quitedecent.Ourgreengrocer,awiseoldchap, putit inawaythathelpedto

bring around the rest. "If you payforallyoubuy andthenpay someonwhatyouowe,that is
betterthanyouhavedone,foryeain'tpaiddowntheaccountnoneinthreeyears."
FinallyIsecured all their names toanagreementbindingthem nottomolest us aslongasthe

twenty percent of income was paid regularly. Then we began scheming on how to live upon
seventy percent. We were determined to keep that extra ten percenttojingle.Thethoughtof
silverandpossiblygoldwasmostalluring.
It waslikehaving anadventuretomakethechange.Weenjoyedfiguring thiswayandthat,to

live comfortably upon that remaining seventy percent. We started with rent and managed to
secure a fair reduction. Next we put our favorite brands of tea andsuch undersuspicionand
wereagreeablysurprisedhowoftenwecouldpurchasesuperiorqualitiesatlesscost.
It is too long a story for a letter but anyhow it did not prove difficult. We managed and right
cheerfullyatthat.Whatareliefit proved tohaveouraffairs insuchashapewewerenolonger
persecutedbypastdueaccounts.
Imustnotneglect,however,totellyouaboutthatextratenpercentweweresupposedtojingle.
Well,wedidjingleitforsometime.Nowdon'tlaughtoosoon.Yousee,thatisthesportypart.It
is the real fun, to start accumulating money that you do not want to spend. There is more
pleasureinrunningupsuchasurplusthantherecouldbeinspendingit.
Afterwehadjingledto ourhearts' content,wefoundamoreprofitableuseforit.Wetookupan

investment upon which we could pay that ten percent each month. This is proving to be the
mostsatisfyingpartofourregeneration.Itisthefirstthingwepayoutofmycheck.
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There isamostgratifyingsense ofsecurityto knowourinvestmentisgrowingsteadily.Bythe
timemyteachingdaysareoveritshouldbeasnug sum, largeenoughsotheincomewilltake
careofusfromthenon.
All this out of my same old check. Difficult to believe, yet absolutely true. All our debtsbeing
gradually paid and at the same time our investment increasing. Besides we get along,
financially, even better than before. Who would believe there could be such a difference in
resultsbetweenfollowingafinancialplanandjustdriftingalong.
Attheendofthenextyear,whenallouroldbillsshallhavebeenpaid,wewillhavemoretopay
uponourinvestmentbesidessomeextrafortravel.
Wearedeterminedneveragain to permitourlivingexpensestoexceedseventypercentofour
income. Now youcan understand whywe wouldlike to extendourpersonal thanks tothatold
chapwhoseplansavedusfromour"HellonEarth."
He knew. He had been through it all. He wanted others to benefit from his own bitter
experiences. That iswhyhespent tedioushourscarvinghis message upontheclay.Hehada
real message forfellowsufferers, amessagesoimportantthatafterfivethousandyearsithas
risenoutoftheruinsofBabylon,justastrueandjustasvitalasthedayitwasburied.
Yourssincerely,
AlfredH.Shrewsbury,
DepartmentofArchaeology.
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The Luckiest Man in Babylon
Attheheadofhiscaravan,proudlyrodeSharruNada,themerchantprinceofBabylon.Heliked
fine cloth and wore rich and becoming robes. He liked fine animals and sat easily upon his
spirited Arabian stallion. To look at him one would hardly have guessed his advanced years.
Certainlytheywouldnothavesuspectedthathewasinwardlytroubled.
The journey from Damascus is long and the hardships of the desertmany.Theseheminded
not. The Arab tribes are fierce and eager to loot rich caravans. These he feared not for his
manyfleetmountedguardswereasafeprotection.
About theyouthathisside,whomhewasbringingfromDamascus,washedisturbed.Thiswas
HadanGula,the grandson of hispartnerofotheryears, AradGula,towhom hefeltheoweda
debtof gratitude whichcouldneverberepaid.Hewouldliketodosomethingforthisgrandson,
butthemoreheconsideredthis,themoredifficultitseemedbecauseoftheyouthhimself.
Eyeing the young man's rings and earrings, he thought to himself, "He thinks jewels are for
men, still he hashis grandfather'sstrong face.Buthis grandfather wore nosuchgaudy robes.
Yet, Isoughthim tocome,hopingImighthelphimgetastartforhimselfandgetawayfromthe
wreckhisfatherhasmadeoftheirinheritance."
Hadan Gula broke in upon his thoughts, "Why dost thou work so hard,ridingalwayswiththy
caravanuponitslongjourneys?Dostthounevertaketimetoenjoylife?"
Sharru Nada smiled. "To enjoy life?" he repeated. "What wouldst thou do to enjoy lifeif thou
wertSharruNada?"
"If I had wealth equal to thine, I would live like a prince. Never across the hot desertwouldI
ride. I would spend the shekels asfastasthey cametomypurse.Iwouldweartherichestof
robes and the rarest of jewels. That would be alifetomy liking,a lifeworthliving."Bothmen
laughed.
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"Thy grandfather wore no jewels." Sharru Nada spoke before he thought, then continued
jokingly,"Wouldstthouleavenotimeforwork?"
"Workwasmadeforslaves,"HadanGularesponded.SharraNadabithislipbutmadenoreply,
riding in silence until the trail led them to theslope.Here he reinedhis mountandpointing to
thegreenvalleyfaraway,"See,thereisthevalley.Lookfardownandthoucanstfaintlyseethe
wallsofBabylon.The toweris theTempleofBel.Ifthineeyesaresharpthoumayestevensee
thesmokefromtheeternalfireuponitscrest."
"So that is Babylon? Always have I longed to see the wealthiest city in all the world," Hadan
Gulacommented."Babylon,wheremygrandfatherstartedhisfortune.Wouldhewerestillalive.
Wewouldnotbesosorelypressed."
"Why wish his spirit to linger on earth beyond its allotted time? Thou and thy father can well
carryonhisgoodwork."
"Alas,ofus,neitherhashisgift.Father andmyselfknownothissecretforattractingthegolden
shekels."
SharruNadadid notreplybut gave reintohismountandrodethoughtfullydownthetrailtothe

valley. Behind them followed the caravan in a cloud of reddish dust. Some time later they
reachedtheKings'highwayandturnedsouththroughtheirrigatedfarms.
Three oldmenplowinga field caught SharruNada'sattention.Theyseemedstrangelyfamiliar.

How ridiculous! One does not pass a field after forty years and find the same men plowing
there. Yet,somethingwithinhimsaidtheywerethesame.One,withanuncertaingrip,heldthe
plow. The others laboriously plodded beside the oxen, ineffectually beating them with their
barrelstavestokeepthempulling.
Forty years ago he had envied these men! How gladlyhewouldhaveexchangedplaces!But

what a difference now. With pride helookedbackathistrailingcaravan,wellchosencamels
and donkeys, loaded high with valuable goods from Damascus. All this was but one of his
possessions.
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He pointed to the plowers, saying, "Still plowing the same field where they were forty years
ago."
"Theylookit,butwhythinkestthoutheyarethesame?"
"I saw them there," Sharru Nada replied. Recollections were racing rapidly through his mind.
Why could he not bury the past and live in the present? Then he saw, as in a picture, the
smiling face of Arad Gula. The barrier between himself and the cynical youth beside him
dissolved.
But how could he help such asuperioryouthwithhisspendthriftideasandbejeweledhands?

Workhecouldofferinplentytowillingworkers,butnaughtformenwhoconsideredthemselves
toogood for work.Yet he owedit toAradGulatodosomething,notahalfheartedattempt.He
andAradGulahadneverdonethingsthatway.Theywerenotthatsortofmen.
A plan camealmostin aflash. Therewereobjections.Hemustconsiderhisownfamilyandhis

own standing. It would be cruel it would hurt. Being a man of quick decisions, he waived
objectionsanddecidedtoact.
"Wouldst thou be interested in hearing how thy worthy grandfather and myself joined in the
partnershipwhichprovedsoprofitable?"hequestioned.
"Why not just tell me how thou madest the golden shekels? That is all I need to know," the
youngmanparried.
SharruNadaignored thereplyandcontinued,"Westartwiththosemenplowing.Iwasnoolder
than thou. As the column of men in which I marched approached, good old Megiddo, the
farmer, scoffed at the slipshod way in which they plowed. Megiddo was chainednext to me.
'Look at the lazy fellows,' he protested, 'the plow holdermakesnoeffort toplowdeep,nordo
the beaters keep the oxen in the furrow. How can they expectto raiseagood cropwithpoor
plowing?"
"DidstthousayMegiddowaschainedtothee?"HadanGulaaskedinsurprise.
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"Yes,with bronze collars aboutour necksand alengthofheavychainbetweenus.Nexttohim

was Zabado, the sheep thief. I had known him in Harroun. At the end was a man we called
Pirate because he told us not his name. We judged him as a sailor as he had entwined
serpents tattooed upon his chest insailorfashion.Thecolumn wasmadeupthussothemen
couldwalkinfours."
"Thouwertchainedasaslave?"HadanGulaaskedincredulously.
"DidnotthygrandfathertelltheeIwasonceaslave?"
"Heoftenspokeoftheebutneverhintedofthis."
"Hewasa manthoucouldsttrustwithinnermostsecrets.Thou,too,areamanImaytrust,amI
notright?"SharruNadalookedhimsquarelyintheeye.
"Thou mayest rely upon my silence, but I am amazed. Tell me how didst thou come to be a
slave?"
Sharru Nada shrugged his shoulders, "Any man may find himself a slave. It was a gaming
house andbarleybeerthat broughtmedisaster.Iwasthe victimofmybrother's indiscretions.
In a brawl he killed his friend.Iwasbondedtothe widowbymyfattier, desperateto keepmy
brotherfrombeing prosecutedunderthelaw.When myfather couldnotraisethesilvertofree
me,sheinangersoldmetotheslavedealer."
"What a shame and injustice!" Hadan Gula protested. "But tell me, how didst thou regain
freedom?"
"Weshall cometo that, butnotyet.Letuscontinuemytale.Aswepassed,theplowersjeered

atus.Onediddoffhisraggedhatandbowlow,callingout,"WelcometoBabylon,guestsofthe
King. He waits for thee on the city walls where the banquet is spread, mud bricks andonion
soup.'Withthattheylaugheduproariously.
"Pirate flew into a rage and cursed them roundly. 'What do those men mean by the King
awaitingusonthewalls?'Iaskedhim.
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"Tothecitywallsyemarchtocarrybricksuntilthebackbreaks.Maybetheybeattheetodeath
beforeitbreaks.Theywon'tbeatme.Illkill'em.'
"Then Megiddo spoke up, 'It doesn't make sense to me to talk of masters beating willing,
hardworkingslavestodeath.Masterslikegoodslavesandtreatthemwell."
"'Who wantstoworkhard?' commented Zabado.'Thoseplowersare wise fellows.They'renot

breakingtheirbacks.Justlettingonasiftheybe.'
" 'Thou can't get ahead by shirking,' Megiddo protested. If thou plow a hectare,that'sagood
day's work and any master knows it. But when thou plow only a half, that's shirking. I don't
shirk.I liketoworkand Iliketodogoodwork,forworkisthebestfriendI'veeverknown.Ithas
broughtmeallthegoodthingsI'vehad,myfarmandcowsandcrops,everything.'
"'Yea, andwherebethese thingsnow?'scoffedZabado.'Ifigureitpaysbettertobesmartand

getbywithout working.Youwatch Zabado,if we're soldtothewalls,he'llbecarryingthewater
bagorsomeeasyjobwhenthou,wholiketowork,willbebreakingthybackcarryingbricks.'He
laughedhissillylaugh.
"Terror gripped me that night. I could not sleep.Icrowdedclosetothe guardrope,andwhen

the others slept, I attracted the attention of Godoso who was doing the first guard watch.He
was one of those brigand Arabs, the sort of roguewho,if herobbedtheeof thypurse, would
thinkhemustalsocutthythroat.
"'Tellme,Godoso,'Iwhispered,'whenwegettoBabylonwillwebesoldtothewalls?'
"'Whywanttoknow?'hequestionedcautiously.
"'Canstthounot understand?'Ipleaded.'Iamyoung.I want tolive.Idon'twanttobeworked

orbeatentodeathonthewalls.Isthereanychanceformetogetagoodmaster?'
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"Hewhisperedback,'Itellsomething.Thougoodfellow,giveGodosonotrouble.Mosttimeswe
gofirst to slavemarket.Listennow.Whenbuyerscome,tell'em yougoodworker,liketowork
hardforgoodmaster. Make'emwanttobuy.You notmake 'em buy, nextdayyoucarrybrick.
Mightyhardwork.'
"Afterhewalkedaway,Ilayinthe warmsand,lookingup atthestarsandthinkingaboutwork.

What Megiddo had said about it beinghisbestfriend mademewonder ifit wouldbemy best
friend.Certainlyitwouldbeifithelpedmeoutofthis.
"When Megiddo awoke, I whispered my good news to him. Itwasour oneray ofhope as we
marched toward Babylon. Late in the afternoon we approached the walls and could see the
lines of men, like black ants, climbing up and down the steep diagonal paths. As we drew
closer, we were amazed at the thousands of men working some were digging in the moat,
others mixed the dirt into mud bricks. The greatest number were carrying the bricks in large
basketsupthosesteeptrailstothemasons.*
"Overseers cursed thelaggards andcrackedbullockwhipsoverthe backsofthose whofailed

to keep in line. Poor, wornout fellows were seen to stagger and fall beneath their heavy
baskets, unable toriseagain. Ifthe lashfailedto bringthemtotheirfeet, they werepushedto
thesideofthepathsandleft writhinginagony.Soontheywouldbedraggeddowntojoinother
cravenbodiesbesidetheroadwaytoawaitunsanctifiedgraves.AsIbeheldtheghastlysight,I
shuddered.Sothiswaswhatawaitedmyfather'ssonifhefailedattheslavemarket.
____________________________________________________________________________
*The famous works of ancient Babylon, its walls,temples,hanging gardensand greatcanals,

were built by slave labor, mainly prisoners of war,whichexplains theinhumantreatmentthey
received.ThisforceofworkmenalsoincludedmanycitizensofBabylon anditsprovinceswho
had beensold intoslaverybecauseofcrimesorfinancialtroubles.Itwasacommoncustomfor
men to put themselves, their wives or their children up as a bond to guarantee payment of
loans, legal judgmentsorotherobligations.Incaseofdefault,thosesobondedweresoldinto
slavery.
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"Godoso had been right. We were taken through the gates ofthecitytothe slaveprison and
nextmorningmarchedtothepens inthemarket.Herethe restofthemenhuddledinfearand
only the whips of our guard could keep them moving so the buyers could examine them.
Megiddoandmyselfeagerlytalkedtoeverymanwhopermittedustoaddresshim.
"The slavedealer broughtsoldiersfromtheKing'sGuardwhoshackledPirateandbrutallybeat

himwhenheprotested.Astheyledhimaway,Ifeltsorryforhim.
"Megiddo feltthat wewould soonpart.Whennobuyerswerenear,hetalkedtomeearnestlyto

impress upon me how valuable work would be to me in the future: 'Some men hate it. They
makeittheirenemy.Better to treat itlike afriend,makethyselflike it.Don'tmindbecauseitis
hard. If thou thinkest about what a good house thou build, then who cares if the beams are
heavy anditisfar fromthewelltocarrythewaterfortheplaster.Promiseme,boy,ifthougeta
master, work for himashardasthoucanst.Ifhedoes notappreciate all thoudo,nevermind.
Remember,work, welldone,doesgoodtothemanwhodoesit.Itmakeshimabetterman.'He
stoppedasaburlyfarmercametotheenclosureandlookedatuscritically.
"Megiddo asked about his farm and crops, soon convincing him that he would be a valuable
man. After violent bargaining with the slave dealer, the farmer drew afatpurse from beneath
hisrobe,andsoonMegiddohadfollowedhisnewmasteroutofsight.
"A fewothermenweresoldduringthemorning.AtnoonGodosoconfidedtomethatthedealer
was disgusted and would not stay over another night but would take all who remained at
sundowntotheKing'sbuyer.Iwasbecomingdesperatewhenafat,goodnaturedmanwalked
uptothewallandinquirediftherewasabakeramongus.
"Iapproachedhimsaying,"Whyshoulda goodbakerlike thyselfseekanotherbakerofinferior

ways?Would itnotbe easiertoteach awillingman likemyselfthyskilledways?Lookatme,I
am young, strong and like to work. Give me a chance and I willdomybesttoearngoldand
silverforthypurse."
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"He was impressed by my willingness and began bargaining with the dealer who had never
noticed me sincehehad bought mebutnowwaxedeloquentonmyabilities,goodhealth and
gooddisposition.Ifeltlikeafatoxbeingsoldtoabutcher.Atlast,muchtomyjoy,thedealwas
closed.Ifollowedmynewmasteraway,thinkingIwastheluckiestmaninBabylon.
"My new home was much to my liking. Nananaid, my master, taught me how to grind the
barley in the stone bowl thatstoodinthecourtyard,how to build thefireintheoven andthen
how to grind very fine the sesameflourforthe honeycakes.Ihada couchintheshed where
his grain was stored. Theoldslave housekeeper, Swasti,fedme wellandwas pleasedatthe
wayIhelpedherwiththeheavytasks.
"HerewasthechanceI hadlongedfortomake myself valuabletomymasterand,I hoped, to

findawaytoearnmyfreedom.
"IaskedNananaidtoshowmehowtokneadthebreadandtobake.Thishedid,muchpleased
at my willingness. Later, when I could do this well, I asked him to showmehowtomakethe
honey cakes, and soon I was doing all the baking.My master wasgladtobeidle,butSwasti
shookherheadindisapproval,'Noworktodoisbadforanyman,'shedeclared.
"I felt it was time for me to think of a way by which I might start to earn coins to buy my
freedom. As the baking was finished at noon, I thought Nananaid would approve if I found
profitable employment for the afternoons and might share my earnings with me. Then the
thought came to me, why not bake more of thehoney cakesandpeddlethemtohungrymen
uponthestreetsofthecity?
"I presented my plan to Nananaid this way: 'If I can use my afternoons after the baking is
finishedtoearnfortheecoins,woulditbeonlyfairfortheetosharemyearningswithmethatI
mighthavemoneyofmyowntospendforthosethingswhicheverymandesiresandneeds?
" 'Fair enough, fair enough,' he admitted. When I told him of my plan to peddle our honey
cakes,hewas wellpleased.'Hereiswhatwewill do,' he suggested. 'Thou sellestthem attwo
for a penny, then half of the pennies will be mine to pay for the flour and the honey and the
woodtobakethem.Oftherest,Ishalltakehalfandthoushallkeephalf.'
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"IwasmuchpleasedbyhisgenerousofferthatImightkeepformyself,onefourthofmysales.
ThatnightIworked latetomakeatray uponwhichtodisplaythem.Nananaidgavemeoneof

hiswornrobesthatImightlookwell,andSwastihelpedmepatchitandwashitclean.
"The next dayIbakedanextrasupplyofhoney cakes. Theylooked brownandtemptingupon

the tray as Iwentalongthestreet,loudly callingmy wares. At firstnooneseemedinterested,
and I became discouraged. I kept on and later in the afternoon as men became hungry, the
cakesbegantosellandsoonmytraywasempty.
"Nananaid waswellpleasedwithmy successandgladlypaidmemyshare.Iwasdelightedto

own pennies. Megiddo hadbeenrightwhenhe saidamasterappreciatedgoodworkfromhis
slaves.ThatnightIwassoexcitedovermysuccessIcouldhardlysleepandtriedtofigurehow
muchIcouldearninayearandhowmanyyearswouldberequiredtobuymyfreedom.
"AsIwentforthwithmy trayofcakes everyday,Isoonfoundregularcustomers.Oneofthese

was none other than thy grandfather, Arad Gula. He was a rug merchant and sold to the
housewives, going from one end of the city the other, accompanied by adonkeyloadedhigh
withrugs andablackslavetotendit.Hewouldbuytwocakesforhimselfandtwoforhisslave,
alwaystarryingtotalkwithmewhiletheyatethem.
Thy grandfather said somethingtomeoneday thatIshallalways remember.'Ilikethycakes,

boy,butbetter stillIlikethefineenterprisewithwhich thou offerestthem.Suchspiritcancarry
theefarontheroadtosuccess.'
"Buthowcanst thou understand, Hadan Gula,whatsuchwordsofencouragementcouldmean

toaslave boy, lonesomeinagreatcity,strugglingwithallhehadinhimtofindawayoutofhis
humiliation?
"Asthemonths wentbyIcontinuedtoaddpenniestomy purse.Itbegantohaveacomforting

weight upon my belt. Work wasproving tobe mybest friendJustasMegiddohadsaid. Iwas
happybutSwastiwasworried.
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"'Thymaster,Ifeartohavehimspendsomuchtimeatthegaminghouses,'sheprotested.
"I was overjoyed one day to meet my friend Megiddo upon the street. He was leading three
donkeys loaded with vegetables to the market. 'I am doing mighty well,' he said. 'My master
doesappreciatemygoodworkfornowIamaforeman.See,hedoestrustthemarketingtome,
and also he is sending for my family. Work is helping me to recover from my great trouble.
Somedayitwillhelpmetobuymyfreedomandoncemoreownafarmofmyown.'
"TimewentonandNananaidbecamemoreandmoreanxiousformetoreturnfromselling.He
would be waiting when I returned and would eagerly count and divide our money. He would
alsourgemetoseekfurthermarketsandincreasemysales.
"Often I went outside the city gates to solicit the overseers of the slaves building the walls. I
hatedtoreturntothedisagreeablesightsbutfoundtheoverseersliberalbuyers.OnedayIwas
surprisedtoseeZabadowaitinginlinetofillhisbasketwithbricks.Hewasgauntandbent,and
hisbackwascovered withwelts andsores from thewhipsoftheoverseers.Iwassorryforhim
and handed him a cake which he crushed into his mouth like a hungry animal. Seeing the
greedylookinhiseyes,Iranbeforehecouldgrabmytray.
"'Why dost thou work so hard?'AradGulasaidtomeoneday.Almostthesamequestionthou

asked of me today, dost thou remember? I told him what Megiddo had said about work and
how it was proving to be my best friend. I showed him with pride my wallet of pennies and
explainedhowIwassavingthemtobuymyfreedom.
"'Whenthouartfree,whatwiltthoudo?'heinquired.
"'Then,'Ianswered,Iintendtobecomeamerchant.'
"At that, he confided in me. Something Ihad neversuspected.'Thouknowest notthat I,also,

amaslave.Iaminpartnershipwithmymaster.'"
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"Stop," demanded Hadan Gula. 'I will not listen to lies defaming my grandfather. He was no
slave."Hiseyesblazedinanger.
Sharru Nada remained calm. "I honor him for rising above his misfortune and becoming a
leading citizen of Damascus. Art thou, his grandson, cast of the same mold? Art thou man
enoughtofacetruefacts,ordostthouprefertoliveunderfalseillusions?"
Hadan Gula straightened in his saddle. In a voice suppressed with deep emotion he replied,
"My grandfather was beloved by all. Countless were his good deeds. Whenthefaminecame
didnot hisgoldbuygraininEgyptanddidnothiscaravanbringittoDamascusanddistributeit
tothepeoplesononewouldstarve?NowthousayesthewasbutadespisedslaveinBabylon."
"Had he remained a slave in Babylon, then he might well have been despised, but when,
throughhis ownefforts,he becamea greatmanin Damascus, theGodsindeedcondoned his
misfortunesandhonoredhimwiththeirrespect,"SharruNadareplied.
"After telling me that he was a slave," Sharru Nada continued, 'he explained howanxioushe
had been to earn his freedom. Now that he had enough money to buy this he was much
disturbed as to what he should do. He was no longermakinggood salesand fearedtoleave
thesupportofhismaster.
"Iprotestedhis indecision:'Clingnolongertothymaster.Getonceagainthefeelingofbeinga
free man. Act like a free man and succeedlikeone! Decidewhatthoudesiresttoaccomplish
and then work willaidtheetoachieveit!'HewentonhiswaysayinghewasgladIhadshamed
himforhiscowardice.*
"One day I went outside the gates again, and was surprised to find a great crowd gathering
there. When I asked a man for an explanation he replied: 'Hast thou not heard?Anescaped
slave who murdered one of theKing'sguardshasbeenbrought tojusticeandwillthisdaybe
floggedtodeathforhiscrime.EventheKinghimselfistobehere.'
"So dense was the crowd about the flogging post, I feared to go near lest my tray of honey
cakesbeupset.Therefore,Iclimbeduptheunfinishedwalltoseeovertheheadsofthepeople.
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IwasfortunateinhavingaviewofNebuchadnezzarhimselfasherodebyinhisgoldenchariot.
NeverhadIbeheldsuchgrandeur,suchrobesandhangingsofgoldclothandvelvet.
"Icould notsee thefloggingthoughI couldheartheshrieks ofthepoorslave.Iwanderedhow

one so nobleasourhandsomeKingcouldenduretoseesuchsuffering,yetwhenIsawhewas
laughing and joking with his nobles, I knew he was cruel and understood why such inhuman
tasksweredemandedoftheslavesbuildingthewalls.
"After theslave was dead,hisbodywashungupon apolebya ropeattachedtohisleg so all

might see. As the crowd began to thin, I went close. On the hairy chest, I saw tattooed, two
entwinedserpents.It wasPirate."ThenexttimeImetAradGulahewasachangedman.Fullof
enthusiasm he greeted me: 'Behold, the slave thou knewest is now a free man. There was
magic inthy words. Alreadymysales andmy profitsareincreasing. Mywife isoverjoyed.She
was a free woman, the niece ofmymaster. Shemuchdesiresthat wemovetoastrangecity
where no man shall know I was once a slave. Thus our children shall be abovereproachfor
theirfather's misfortune. Workhas becomemybesthelper.Ithasenabledmetorecapturemy
confidenceandmyskilltosell.'
"IwasoverjoyedthatIhadbeenableeveninasmallway,torepayhimfortheencouragement
hehadgivenme.
____________________________________________________________________________
*Slave customs in ancient Babylon, though they may seem inconsistent to us, were strictly
regulatedbylaw.Forexample,aslavecould ownpropertyofanykind,evenotherslavesupon
which his master had no claim. Slaves intermarried freely with nonslaves. Children of free
mothers were free. Mostof thecity merchantswereslaves.Manyof thesewereinpartnership
withtheirmastersandwealthyintheirownright.
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"One evening Swasti came to me in deep distress: 'Thy master is in trouble. I fear for him.
Some monthsagohe lostmuch atthe gamingtables.Hepaysnot thefarmerforhisgrainnor
hishoney.Hepaysnotthemoneylender.Theyareangryandthreatenhim.'"
"Whyshouldweworryoverhisfolly.Wearenothiskeepers,'Irepliedthoughtlessly.
"'Foolishyouth, thou understandethnot.To themoneylenderdidsthegivethytitletosecurea

loan. Under the law he can claim thee and sell thee. I know not what to do. He is a good
master.Why?Ohwhy,shouldsuchtroublecomeuponhim?'
"Not were Swasti's fears groundless. While I was doing the baking next morning, the money
lenderreturnedwithamanhecalledSasi.ThismanlookedmeoverandsaidIwoulddo
"The money lender waited not formymastertoreturn buttold Swastitotell himhehadtaken

me. With onlytherobeonmybackandthepurseofpennieshangingsafelyfrommybelt,Iwas
hurriedawayfromtheunfinishedbaking.
"Iwaswhirledawayfrommydearesthopesasthehurricanesnatchesthe treefromthe forest

and casts it into the surging sea. Again a gaming house and barley beer had caused me
disaster.
"Sasi was a blunt, gruff man. As he led me across the city, I told himofthe good workIhad
been doing for Nananaid and said I hoped to do good work for him. His reply offered no
encouragement:
"'Ilikenotthiswork.Mymasterlikesitnot.TheKinghastoldhimtosendmetobuildasection
oftheGrandCanal.Mastertells Sasi tobuymoreslaves,workhardandfinishquick.Bah,how
cananymanfinishabigjobquick?'
"Picturea desertwithnotatree,just lowshrubsand asunburningwithsuchfury thewaterin

our barrels became so hot we could scarcely drink it. Then picture rows of men, goingdown
into the deep escavation and lugging heavy baskets of dirt up soft, dusty trails from daylight
untildark.Picturefoodservedinopentroughsfromwhichwehelpedourselveslikeswine.We
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had no tents, no straw for beds. That was the situation in which I found myself. I buried my
walletinamarkedspot,wonderingifIwouldeverdigitupagain.
"At first I worked with good will, but as themonths draggedon, Ifeltmy spirit breaking. Then
theheatfevertookholdofmywearybody.Ilostmyappetiteandcouldscarcelyeatthemutton
andvegetables.AtnightIwouldtossinunhappywakefulness.
"In my misery, I wondered if Zabado had not the best plan, to shirk and keep his back from
beingbrokeninwork.ThenIrecalledmylastsightofhimandknewhisplanwasnotgood.
"I thought of Pirate with his bitternessandwonderedif itmight be justaswelltofight andkill.

Thememoryofhisbleedingbodyremindedmethathisplanwasalsouseless.
"ThenIrememberedmylastsightofMegiddo.Hishandsweredeeplycallousedfromhardwork
buthisheartwaslightandtherewashappinessonhisface.Hiswasthebestplan.
"YetI wasjustaswillingto work as MegiddohecouldnothaveworkedharderthanI.Whydid

notmyworkbringmehappinessandsuccess?WasitworkthatbroughtMegiddohappiness,or
was happiness and success merely in the lapsofthe Gods? Was Ito work therestof mylife
without gaining my desires, without happiness and success? All of these questions were
jumbledinmymindandIhadnotananswer.Indeed,Iwassorelyconfused."Severaldayslater
whenitseemedthatIwasattheendofmyenduranceandmyquestionsstillunanswered,Sasi
sentforme. Amessengerhadcomefrommy master to takemebackto Babylon.Idugupmy
preciouswallet,wrappedmyselfinthetatteredremnantsofmyrobeandwasonmyway.
"As we rode, the same thoughts of a hurricane whirling me hither and thither kept racing
throughmy feverishbrain.Iseemedtobelivingtheweirdwordsofachantfrommynativetown
ofHarroun:
Besettingamanlikeawhirlwind,
Drivinghimlikeastorm,
Whosecoursenoonecanfoliate,
Whosedestinynoonecanforetell.
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"Was I destined to be ever thus punished for I knew not what? What new miseries and
disappointmentsawaitedme?
"When we rode to the courtyard of mymaster's house, imaginemysurprisewhenI sawArad

Gulaawaitingme.Hehelpedmedownandhuggedmelikealonglostbrother.
"As we went our way I would have followed him as a slave should follow his master, but he
would not permit me.He puthisarmaboutme,saying,'Ihuntedeverywherefor thee.WhenI
hadalmostgivenuphope,IdidmeetSwastiwhotoldmeofthemoneylender,whodirectedme
tothynobleowner.Ahardbargainhediddriveandmademepayanoutrageousprice,butthou
artworthit.Thyphilosophyandthyenterprisehavebeenmyinspirationtothisnewsuccess."
"'Megiddo'sphilosophy,notmine,'Iinterrupted.
"'Megiddo's andthine.Thankstotheeboth,wearegoingtoDamascusandIneedtheeformy
partner. 'See,'heexclaimed,'inonemoment thouwillbeafreeman!'Sosayinghedrewfrom
beneath hisrobetheclaytabletcarryingmytitle.Thisheraisedabovehisheadandhurleditto
break in a hundredpiecesuponthecobble stones.Withglee hestamped uponthefragments
untiltheywerebutdust.
"Tearsofgratitudefilledmyeyes.IknewIwastheluckiestmaninBabylon.
"Work,thousee,bythis,inthetimeofmygreatestdistress,didstprovetobemybestfriend.
Mywillingnesstoworkenabled metoescapefrombeingsoldtojoin theslavegangsuponthe

walls.Italsosoimpressedthygrandfather,heselectedmeforhispartner."
ThenHadanGulaquestioned,"Wasworkmy grandfather'ssecret keytothegoldenshekels?"

"It was the only key he had when I first knew him," Sharru Nada replied. "Thy grandfather
enjoyedworking.TheGodsappreciatedhiseffortsandrewardedhimliberally."
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"I begin tosee,"HadanGulawasspeakingthoughtfully."Work attractedhis manyfriendswho

admired his industry and the success it brought. Work brought himthe honors heenjoyedso
muchinDamascus.WorkbroughthimallthosethingsIhaveapproved.AndIthoughtworkwas
fitonlyforslaves."
"Life is rich with many pleasures for men to enjoy," Sharru Nada commented. "Each has its
place. Iamgladthatworkis notreservedforslaves.WerethatthecaseIwouldbedeprivedof
mygreatestpleasure.ManythingsdoIenjoybutnothingtakestheplaceofwork."
Sharru Nada and Hadan Gula rode in the shadows of the towering walls up to the massive,
bronzegatesofBabylon.Attheirapproachthegateguardsjumpedtoattentionandrespectfully
salutedanhonoredcitizen.WithheadheldhighSharruNadaled thelongcaravanthroughthe
gatesandupthestreetsofthecity.
"I have always hoped to be a man like my grandfather," Hadan Gula confidedtohim."Never
before did I realize just what kind of man he was. This thou hast shown me. Now that I
understand, I do admire himallthe moreandfeelmoredeterminedtobelike him. Ifear Ican
never repay theeforgiving methetruekey tohis success. Fromthisdayforth,I shall usehis
key. I shall start humbly as he started, which befits my true station far betterthanjewelsand
finerobes."
SosayingHadanGulapulled thejeweledbaublesfromhisearsand theringsfromhisfingers.

Thenreininghishorse,He droppedbackandrodewith deeprespectbehindtheLeaderofthe
caravan.
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1PLUS12 - The Richest Man in Babylon

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THE

To bring yourambitions anddesirestofulfillment,you mustbesuccessfulwithmoney.

About the Author

This book deals withthe personalsuccessesof eachof us.Successmeansaccomplishments

Tonewreadersthe authorishappyto extend thewishthat its pagesmaycontainforthemthe

An Historical Sketch of Babylon

Babylon isanoutstandingexampleofman'sability to achievegreatobjectives,usingwhatever

Babylon possessedjusttwonaturalresourcesafertile soilandwaterintheriver.Withoneof

Fortunately,duringitslongexistence,Babylonwas ruledbysuccessive linesof kingstowhom

Babylon wasoneofthese.Over itforsomethingliketwentycenturies,thewindshadscattered

These clay tablets, as they arecommonly called,were used muchasweusemodernformsof

One of the outstanding wonders of Babylon was theimmensewalls surroundingthecity.The

The later andmorefamouswallswerestartedaboutsixhundredyearsbeforethetimeofChrist

Againstthe wallsof Babylonmarched,inturn,the victorious armies of almosteveryconqueror

The Babylonianswerecleverfinanciersandtraders.Sofar as weknow,theyweretheoriginal

The Man Who Desired Gold

Bansirwas tooengrossed inhis ownproblemtohearorheedtheconfusedhubbubofthebusy

"MaytheGods blesstheewith greatliberality, mygoodfriend,"began Kobbiwithanelaborate

"If Ididhavetwoshekels,"Bansirrespondedgloomily,"to no onecould Ilendthemnoteven

"What," exclaimedKobbi withgenuinesurprise, "Thouhast notone shekel inthy purse,yet sit

"Why,indeed!Becausewhen Iawokeandrememberedhowempty wasmypurse,afeelingof

"There aremanygood figures inthe line,"Bansiragreed,"asgoodmenaswe.Tall,blondmen

Thisveryday,suggestedKobbi, "Ididpassour oldfriend,Arkad, ridinginhisgoldenchariot.

"Nonsense," reproved Kobbi,"aman'swealthis notinthepurse hecarries.Afatpursequickly

"Methinkshedidteach hisknowledge tohisson,Nomasir,"Kobbiresponded."Didhenotgoto

"In those things toward which we exerted our bestendeavorswesucceeded.TheGodswere

"LetusgotoArkadthisveryday,"Bansirurged, "Also,letusask otherfriendsofourboyhood

The Richest Man in Babylon

"Yet, oncewewereequal.Westudied underthe samemaster.Weplayedinthesamegames.

"Nor have you worked harder ormore faithfully,insofaraswe canjudge.Why,then,shoulda

Thereupon Arkad remonstratedwiththem,saying, "Ifyou havenotacquiredmorethana bare

"'FickleFate'isaviciousgoddesswhobrings no permanentgood toanyone.Onthecontrary,

"Being, as you know, the son ofahumble merchant,one ofalargefamilywith no hopeof an

"Ifound employmentasa scribeinthehallofrecords,andlonghourseachdayIlaboredupon

"And onedayAlgamish,the money lender, cametothehouseofthecitymasterandordereda

"SoIlabored hard,butthe lawwaslong,andwhenAlgamishreturnedthetaskwasunfinished.

"All that nightIcarved,thoughmy backpained andthesmellofthewickmade myheadache

" 'You have fulfilled your partofour bargain,myson,'hesaidtomekindly,'andI amready to

ofyears. Buttoooften does youththinkthatageknowsonlythewisdomofdaysthataregone,

"'Markyou wellmy words, for ifyoudonotyouwillfailtograspthetruththatIwilltellyou,and

" 'That was sufficient to changetheheartofasheepherderinto theheartofa money lender,'

"'Apartofallyouearnisyours tokeep.Itshouldbenotless thanatenthnomatterhowlittle

"'Wealth,like atree,grows from atinyseed.Thefirst copper yousaveistheseedfromwhich

"I thought much about what he hadsaidtome, andit seemedreasonable.So IdecidedthatI

"And itwasashesaid.For thePhoeniciansarescoundrelsandsoldtoAzmurworthlessbitsof

" 'That isgood.And what doyoudowiththe rental?'"'Idohave agreatfeast withhoneyand

"'Arkad,'hecontinued,'youhavelearned your lessonswell.Youfirstlearned to liveuponless

"'Youhave taughtyourselfhow toacquiremoney,howtokeepit,andhowtouseit.Therefore,

"SoIwent toNippurandtookchargeof hisholdings,whichwerelarge.AndbecauseIwasfull

"FortunateonlyinthatI hadthe desiretoprosper beforeIfirstmethim.ForfouryearsdidInot

"Will power!" retortedArkad."Whatnonsense.Doyouthinkwillpowergivesamanthestrength

"What then do you advise us to do that we also maybecomerich?"asked stillanotherofhis

"Insure anincomeforthyfuture.Lookthouatthe aged andforgetnotthatinthedaystocome

"Provide also that thyfamily may notwantshouldtheGods calltheetotheirrealms.For such

"Enjoylife whileyou arehere.Do notoverstrainortrytosavetoo much.Ifonetenthofallyou

Seven Cures For a Lean Purse

The gloryof Babylonendures.Down throughtheagesitsreputationcomestousastherichest

"It hasfound its way, Ifear,"respondedtheChancellor,"intothepossession of afewveryrich

"Wellsaid,myableChancellor.It isArkad.He isrichestmaninBabylon.Bringhim before me

"Arkad,"continuedtheKing, "ourcity isina very unhappystatebecauseafewmenknowhow

Arkad bowedandsaid,"Iamthyhumbleservant tocommand.WhateverknowledgeIpossess

"I startedmy fortune inthehumblestway.Ihadnoadvantagenotenjoyedasfullybyyou and

"I shall teach to you in simple ways howto fattenyourpurses.Thisisthefirststep leadingto

THE FIRST CURE